Christ Church Prayer Book 2014

Christ Church Prayer Book (September 14 - December 21, 2014)

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

Christ Church Prayer Book 2014 (September 14 - December 21, 2014) Christ Church Davis

Christ Church Davis

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Christ Church Davis Prayer Book (September 14 – December 21, 2014)

David in Prayer – Master of the Lubeck Bible of 1494 2

Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………… 5 An Overview of the Christian Year………………………….. 7 Common Terms in Historic Christian Devotion…………….. 8 Foundational Christian Texts and Creeds…………………… 9 Historic Prayers of the Church……………………………… 12 Weekly Prayer Devotional (Scripture Readings, Psalm of the Week, and Prayer Litany)… 15 Compline Service (Evening Prayer Devotional)……………... 185 Abbreviated Prayers for Morning and Evening…………….... 189 Prayers for Before Meals……………………………………. 190 Prayer of General Thanksgiving…………………………….. 192 Form for Prayers of the People……………………………..

193

Favorite Songs and Hymns…………………………………

195

Blank Pages for Notes……………………………………....

201

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Introduction “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 Dear Christ Church, In Acts, we read that the early believers’ life and worship rested on four elements: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. Like these first Christians, we gather every Sunday to share these practices and to embody the “true story of the whole world.” Of course true Christian discipleship doesn’t happen just on Sunday. Our spiritual lives are entangled and intertwined with the ordinary: in our work, studies and relationships. This book is meant to be a connection between our Lord’s Day worship and our lives throughout the week. In its pages you will find all the historic building blocks of individual and communal Christian worship. Each weekly unit contains the Psalm for the week, readings from the Old and New Testaments (including the sermon text for the week), and a prayer service designed for both individual and corporate use. We encourage you to take time each week to read, pray, and reflect on some, or all, of these elements. These texts and themes will find their way into our Lord’s Day worship at CCD and into Matins prayer gatherings.

“A practice of common prayer experience is paramount to our faith. A practice of common prayer, sharing words with other Jesus followers...begins to root us more deeply in Christian community. Common prayer interrupts our privatized faith and reminds us that we can’t do this alone, that we find ourselves in the company of others who share this journey with Jesus.”

-Philip F. Reinders, from the introduction to Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year.

In addition, families and individuals may desire to use some, or all of these Scriptures and prayers to anchor their own devotional practices.

Over time, the rhythms of common prayer, Scripture reading, and the practice of the Christian calendar will shape us into people of faith 5

and mission. As we pray and patiently submit to these words in the midst of many seasons, we find that the Triune God is truly the anchor of our lives. This edition of the Christ Church Prayer Book will take us through the season of Advent, which is the beginning of the Christian liturgical calendar.

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!

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An Overview of the Christian Year The Christian year begins on the first week of Advent and follows the pattern of the life of Christ. This orientation towards time allows us to communally and individually follow Jesus through His life, death, and resurrection. The rhythm of this story defines the Christian life.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Christian_liturgical_calendar_ gray_scale_bitmap.png

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Common Terms in Historic Christian Devotion Lectionary: A pre-selected collection of Scripture readings that follows the liturgical year in a three-year cycle. Readings in this prayer guide are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. Visit here (http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/) to see readings from the Revised Common Lectionary in the context of the three-year reading cycle.

Compline: The final service of the day in the Christian tradition of fixed-hour prayer. Commits the completed workday and approaching nighttime to God. Collect: A short written prayer extolling a member of the Trinity for a divine attribute. It usually includes a petition based on that attribute and the mediation of Jesus Christ.

Gloria Patri: The “Glory Be” is an ancient Trinitarian hymn of praise often said after the recitation of a Psalm. The repetition of this hymn consistently reminds us that our lives are lived within the context of eternity, and that God’s presence and providence undergirds everything that happens.

Canticle: A hymn or song of praise taken from a passage of Scripture, not from the Psalms.

Antiphon: A short response from a congregation (said or sung) in the context of a Psalm or other Scripture reading.

Proper: Part of the Christian liturgy that varies according to the date, in accordance with the Liturgical Year. Helps organize the Christian orientation towards time around the weekly gatherings of the Church.

Matins: Originally referred to the concluding morning service of the monastic prayer cycle. It is now often used by Protestant denominations to refer to any morning service.

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Foundational Christian Texts and Creeds Memorization of these texts is a vital part of rehearsing and remembering the faith that all Christians share (in all times and places). These standard texts emphasize the theological foundations of Trinity and Incarnation, the wellspring of Christian faith and practice.

These are the building blocks of corporate worship that all Christians share in common.

The Lord’s Prayer 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Gloria Patri Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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Historic Prayers of the Church Prayer for the Morning: Te Deum Laudamus – A Song of the Church *Two Fathers of the early church wrote this hymn: St. Ambrose and St. Augustine

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as the Lord; all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.

The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.

The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the King of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.

When you took our flesh to set us free you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.

We believe that you will come and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Amen.

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Prayer for the Evening: Phos Hilaron – A Song of the Light *Originally written in New Testament Greek, this is the earliest known hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still in use today. Both Eastern and Western Churches use this hymn in daily worship.

O gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Amen.

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The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) September 14, 2014 Proper 19

Crossing of the Red Sea and Miriam Dancing and Singing (mid 9th Century – Illuminated Russian Manuscript)

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Psalm of the Week PSALM 103:1-13

Of David.

1 Praise

the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise

the LORD, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits— forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

3 who

6 The

LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

10 he

13 As

a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 16

Psalm Song

Weekly Scripture Readings and Sermon Text Exodus 14:19-3 (NIV) 19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

21 Then

Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

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23 The

Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving.

And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.”

26 Then

the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

29 But

the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Romans 14:1-12 (NIV) 14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s 18

servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

5 One

person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 You,

then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Matthew 18:21-35 (NIV) 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus

answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven

times.

23 “Therefore,

the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.25 Since he 19

was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At

this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But

when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His

fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But

he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then

the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This

is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 19) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) Song Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise his name; I’m fixed upon it, Name of God’s redeeming love.

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

Confession Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. - from Psalm 51 21

Silence Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. - from Psalm 32 Invitatory Psalm Jubilate – Psalm 100 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

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Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Let us go forth in joy to love and serve God in all that we do.

We are sent in the name of the risen Christ.

Let us bless our Lord.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) September 21, 2014 Proper 20

Israelites Gathering Manna (Roberti, Ercole de’, -1496)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 145:1-8 (NIV) A psalm of praise. Of David.

1I

will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every

day I will praise you

and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The

LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

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Psalm Song

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Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Exodus 16:2-15 (NIV) 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

4 Then

the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

6 So

Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we?

You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.” 9 Then

Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’”

10 While

Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.

11 The

LORD said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning 28

you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORDyour God.’” 13 That

evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?”

For they did not know what it was.

Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.

Philippians 1:21-30 (NIV) 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Life Worthy of the Gospel 27 Whatever

happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

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Matthew 20:1-16 (NIV) The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

3 “About

nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

7 “‘Because

no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

8 “When

evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

9 “The

workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

13 “But

he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go.

30

I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

16 “So

the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 20) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. -Psalm 19:14 Song All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing O Praise Him, Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam, thou silver moon with softer gleam O Praise Him, O Praise Him. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

And all ye ones of tender heart, forgiving others, take your part, O Praise Him, Alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear, Praise God and on Him cast your care.

O praise Him, O praise Him. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Let all things their creator bless, And worship Him in humbleness O Praise Him, Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, And praise the spirit, three in One. O Praise Him, O Praise Him. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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Confession Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. – from The Book of Common Prayer Silence Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice O Lord, according to your faithful love: He has heard our voice and is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen.

Invitatory Psalm Venite – Psalm 95 Come let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

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Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; 34

Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia.

Alleluia.

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) September 28, 2014 Proper 21

Moses Striking the Rock (early 3rd Century, Catacomb of Callistus)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 78:1-4 (NIV) A maskil of Asaph.

1 My

people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

2I

will open my mouth with a parable;

I will utter hidden things, things from of old— 3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:12-16 (NIV) 12 He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

13 He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall. guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.

15 He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; 16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.

14 He

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Psalm Song

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Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Exodus 17:1-7 (NIV) Water From the Rock 17 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as theLORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”

Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?”

3 But

the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

4 Then

Moses cried out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

5 The

LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

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Philippians 2:1-13 (NIV) Imitating Christ’s Humility 2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In

your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who,

being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather,

he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

9 Therefore

God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

11 and

Do Everything Without Grumbling 41

12 Therefore,

my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Matthew 21:23-32 (NIV) The Authority of Jesus Questioned 23 Jesus

entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus

replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

27 So

they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons 28 “What

do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

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29 “‘I

will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30 “Then

the father went to the other son and said the same thing.

He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31 “Which

of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 21) For Individual and Groups

*(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1) Song Abide with me, fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; oh Lord with me abide: when other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, abide with me.

I need thy presence, every passing hour.

What but thy grace, can foil the temptor’s power?

Who like thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, tears lose their bitterness.

Where is thy sting, death? Where grave thy victory?

I triumph still Lord, abide with me.

Confession Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

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Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

- from Psalm 51 Silence Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. - from Psalm 32 Invitatory Psalm Jubilate – Psalm 100 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together)

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Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind) 46

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Let us go forth in joy to love and serve God in all that we do.

We are sent in the name of the risen Christ.

Let us bless our Lord.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung) The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

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48

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) October 5, 2014 Proper 22

Sarcophagus with scene of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from the hand of God (ca. 330)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 19 (NIV) For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The

heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day

after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7 The

law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.

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The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

11 By

them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12 But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14 May

these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm Song

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Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Exodus 20:1-20 (NIV) The Ten Commandments 20 And God spoke all these words: 2 “I

am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

3 “You

shall have no other gods before me.

4 “You

shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, theLORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You

shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8 “Remember

the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any

work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

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12 “Honor

your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

13 “You

shall not murder.

14 “You

shall not commit adultery.

15 “You

shall not steal.

16 “You

shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17 “You

shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18 When

the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

20 Moses

said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Philippians 3:4-14(NIV) 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But

whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the 53

surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not

that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 21:33-46 (NIV) The Parable of the Tenants 33 “Listen

to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

35 “The

tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

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38 “But

when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill himand take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore,

when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

41 “He

will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

42 Jesus

said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

45 When

the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 22) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture From the rising of the sun to its setting my Name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure offering; for my Name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts - Malachi 1:11 Song When you pass through the waters, I will be with you And the waves will not overcome you Do not fear for I have redeemed you I have called you by name, you are mine For I am the Lord, your God I am the Lord your God I am the Holy One of Israel your Savior For I am the Lord your God I am the Lord your God I am the Holy One of Israel your Savior I am the Lord When you walk through the fire, You’ll not be burned And the flames will not consume you Do not fear for I will be with you I have called you by name you are mine

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Confession Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. – from The Book of Common Prayer Silence Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice O Lord, according to your faithful love: He has heard our voice and is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen.

Invitatory Psalm Venite – Psalm 95 Come let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

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Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; 58

Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) October 12, 2014 Proper 23

The Dance of the Golden Calf from the Hortus Deliciarum (Herrad of Landberg 1167-1185)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 23 (NIV) A psalm of David.

1 The

LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You

prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

6 Surely

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Psalm Song

Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Exodus 32:1-14 (NIV) The Golden Calf 32 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

2 Aaron

answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron.4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

5 When

Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and 63

presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

7 Then

the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

9 “I

have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

11 But

Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’” 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

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Philippians 4:1-9 (NIV) Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity 4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

2I

plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Final Exhortations 4 Rejoice

in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally,

brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.And the God of peace will be with you.

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Matthew 22:1-14 (NIV) The Parable of the Wedding Banquet 22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

4 “Then

he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

5 “But

they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8 “Then

he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But

when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

13 “Then

the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For

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many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 23) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) Song (To the tune of ‘Come Thou Fount’) Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, from the heavens praise his name; praise Jehovah in the highest, all his angels, praise proclaim.

All his hosts, together praise him, sun and moon and stars on high; praise him, O you heav’ns of heavens, and you floods above the sky.

Let them praises give Jehovah, they were made at his command; them forever he established, his decree shall ever stand.

From the earth, O praise Jehovah, all you seas, you creatures all, fire and hail and snow and vapors, stormy winds that hear his call.

All you fruitful trees and cedars, all you hills and mountains high, creeping things and beasts and cattle, birds that in the heavens fly, kings of earth, and all you people, princes great, earth’s judges all; praise his name, young men and women, aged men and children small.

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Confession Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

- from Psalm 51 Silence Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. - from Psalm 32:16, NRSV Invitatory Psalm Jubilate – Psalm 100 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; 68

give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; 69

And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Let us go forth in joy to love and serve God in all that we do.

We are sent in the name of the risen Christ.

Let us bless our Lord.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung) 70

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) October 19, 2014 Proper 24

Hand of God (1123 Detail of the vault of the apse of Sant Climent de Ta端ll)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 99 (NIV) 1 The

LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.

2 Great

is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.

4 The

King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.

5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them. spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

8 LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God,

7 He

though you punished their misdeeds.

9 Exalt

the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.

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Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Exodus 33:12-23 (NIV) Moses and the Glory of the LORD 12 Moses

said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14 The

LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give

you rest.”

15 Then

Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And

the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

18 Then

Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

19 And

the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

21 Then

the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in 73

the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NIV) 1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith 2 We

always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 For

we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You knowhow we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

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Matthew 22:15-22 (NIV) Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar 15 Then

the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

18 But

Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,”

they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When

they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and

went away.

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 24) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20 Song Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee; Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness hide thee, Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy Name, in earth and sky and sea; Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

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Confession Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. – from The Book of Common Prayer Silence Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice O Lord, according to your faithful love: He has heard our voice and is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen.

Invitatory Psalm Venite – Psalm 95 Come let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

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Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; 78

Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

79

80

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) October 26, 2014 Proper 25

Faith, Hope, and Charity -- Bas relief sculpture of the three theological virtues (St. Giles Cathedral)

81

Psalm of the Week Psalm 1 (NIV) 1 Blessed

is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

2 but

5 Therefore

the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For

the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

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Psalm Song

83

Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Deuteronomy 34:1-12 (NIV) The Death of Moses 34 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”

5 And

Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. 6 He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.

9 Now

Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

10 Since

then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 who did all those signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty 84

power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (NIV) Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica 2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you.

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

85

Matthew 22:34-46 (NIV) The Greatest Commandment 34 Hearing

that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus

replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

41 While

the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.

43 He

said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, 44 “‘The

Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 25) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. -Psalm 19:14 Song How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He has said, To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am your God and will still give you aid; I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call you to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; For I will be with you, your troubles to bless, And sanctify to you your deepest distress.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

87

Confession Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

- from Psalm 51 Silence Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. - from Psalm 32 Invitatory Psalm Jubilate – Psalm 100 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

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For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

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Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Let us go forth in joy to love and serve God in all that we do.

We are sent in the name of the risen Christ.

Let us bless our Lord.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung) 90

All Saints Day Ordinary Time (Year A) November 1, 2014

Special Readings for All Saints Day Revelation 7:9-17 (NIV) The Great Multitude in White Robes 9 After

this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen!

Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I

answered, “Sir, you know.”

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And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

16 ‘Never

again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.

The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat.

17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’

‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Psalm 34:1-10 (NIV)

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1I

will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

3 Glorify

their faces are never covered with shame.

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6 This

poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The

angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear

the LORD, you his holy people,

for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:22 (NIV) 22 The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

1 John 3:1-3 (NIV) 3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV) Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount 5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes 93

He said: 3 “Blessed

are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed

are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted. are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

5 Blessed

10 Blessed

are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) Baptism Sunday November 2, 2014 Proper 26

Personification of Humility (1220-1240 Cathedral d’Amiens) Psalm of the Week

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 34:1-10, 22 (NIV) Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1I

will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

2I

will glory in the LORD;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice. the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

3 Glorify

their faces are never covered with shame. poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

6 This

8 Taste

and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

10 The

Psalm 34:22 (NIV) 22 The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

96

Psalm Song

Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Joshua 3:7-17(NIV) 7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

9 Joshua

said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

14 So

when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the 97

Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 (NIV) 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

13 And

we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Matthew 23:1-12 (NIV) A Warning Against Hypocrisy 23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads 98

and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

5 “Everything

they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

8 “But

you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 26) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. -Colossians 3:1 Song Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise his name; I’m fixed upon it, Name of God’s redeeming love.

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

Confession Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. – from The Book of Common Prayer Silence

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Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice O Lord, according to your faithful love: He has heard our voice and is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen.

Invitatory Psalm Venite – Psalm 95 Come let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand) 101

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life 102

To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) November 9, 2014 Proper 27

Wisdom (1170 Illuminated Manuscript) 105

Psalm of the Week Psalm 70 (NIV) For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

1 Hasten,

O God, to save me; come quickly, LORD, to help me.

2 May

those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame.

4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”

5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.

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Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Joshua 24:1-3 (NIV) The Covenant Renewed at Shechem 24 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. 2 Joshua

said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. 3 But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, Joshua 24:14-25 (NIV) 14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORDseems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” 16 Then

the

people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! 17 It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including 107

the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.” 19 Joshua

said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”

21 But

the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.”

22 Then

Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.

23 “Now

then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

24 And

the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.”

25 On

that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV) Believers Who Have Died 13 Brothers

and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will 108

come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV) The Parable of the Ten Virgins 25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At

midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then

all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’

they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you.

Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But

while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later

the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door

for us!’

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12 “But

he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore

hour.

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keep watch, because you do not know the day or the

Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 27) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. -Psalm 19:14 Song If the Lord had not been on our side, If the Lord had not been on our side, The raging waters would have swept us all away.

Give praise to the Lord, for we have been saved, Like a bird out of the fowlers cage.

Give praise to the Lord, my hope is in You. For You are the Maker of heaven and earth.

Give praise to the Lord.

-from Psalm 124 / Anonymous Confession Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

- from Psalm 51 111

Silence Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. - from Psalm 32 Invitatory Psalm Jubilate – Psalm 100 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) 113

-We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Let us go forth in joy to love and serve God in all that we do.

We are sent in the name of the risen Christ.

Let us bless our Lord.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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The Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) November 16, 2014 Proper 28

Ruin of Nineveh (1220-1240 Quatrefoil on the western exterior of Cathedrale d’Amiens depicting, in accordance with Zephaniah's prophecies, the ruin of Nineveh and its transformation into a wasteland inhabited by wild creatures)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 123 (NIV) A song of ascents.

1I

lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

2 As

the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.

3 Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt.

4 We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.

Psalm Song

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Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Judges 4:1-7 (NIV) Deborah 4 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, now that Ehud was dead. 2 So the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. 3 Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the LORD for help.

4 Now

Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. 5 She held courtunder the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. 6 She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. 7 I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11(NIV) The Day of the Lord 5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

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4 But

you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV) The Parable of the Bags of Gold 14 “Again,

it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After

a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

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21 “His

master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The

man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His

master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then

the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His

master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So

take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 28) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) Song In the Lord I'll be ever thankful, In the Lord I will rejoice!

Look to God, do not be afraid.

Lift up your voices, the Lord is near, Lift up your voices, the Lord is near.

Confession Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. – from The Book of Common Prayer Silence Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice O Lord, according to your faithful love: He has heard our voice and is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen.

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Invitatory Psalm Venite – Psalm 95 Come let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People 121

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) 122

Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

123

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The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Ordinary Time (Year A) November 23, 2014 Reign of Christ - Proper 29

Christ in Judgment Holding Scroll representing the Law (3rd- 4th Century Rome)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 95:1-7a (NIV) 1 Come,

let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let

us come before him with thanksgiving

and extol him with music and song.

3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

4 In

his hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice‌

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Psalm Song

Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Ezekiel 34:11-16 (NIV) 11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. 16 I will search for the lost and bring 127

back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

Ezekiel 34:20-24 (NIV) 20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken.

Ezekiel 34:11-16 (NIV) 11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the SovereignLORD. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

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Ezekiel 34:20-24 (NIV) 20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken.

Ephesians 1:15-23 (NIV) Thanksgiving and Prayer 15 For

this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

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Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV) The Sheep and the Goats 31 “When

the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then

the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then

the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The

King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then

he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

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44 “They

also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He

will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then

they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Proper 29) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. -Colossians 3:1 Song All hail the power of Jesus' name, Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, ye ransomed from the fall, Hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all.

Hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball, To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all.

To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng, we at his feet may fall We'll join the everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all.

We'll join the everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all.

Confession Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

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Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

- from Psalm 51 Silence Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. - from Psalm 32 Invitatory Psalm Jubilate – Psalm 100 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together)

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Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

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Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Let us go forth in joy to love and serve God in all that we do.

We are sent in the name of the risen Christ.

Let us bless our Lord.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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Thanksgiving Day 2014 Scripture Readings for Thanksgiving Day Psalm 65 For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.

1 Praise

awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.

2 You

who answer prayer,

to you all people will come.

3 When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.

4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!

We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

5 You

answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, 6 who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, 7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

9 You

care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.

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The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.

10 You

drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

11 You

crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.

13 The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Deuteronomy 8:7-18 (NIV) 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees,pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.

10 When

you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forgetthe LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful 138

wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV) Generosity Encouraged 6 Remember

this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This

service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, 139

others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Luke 17:11-19 (NIV) Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy 11 Now

on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14 When

he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One

of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus

asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

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The First Week of Advent Advent (Year B) November 30, 2014

Annunciation of the Birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah (1220-1240 – Cathedrale d’Amiens)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NIV) For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.� Of Asaph. A psalm.

1 Hear

us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.

You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.

Awaken your might; come and save us.

3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

4 How long, LORD God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?

5 You

have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

6 You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.

7 Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:17-19 (NIV) 17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

18 Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

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19 Restore

us, LORD God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Isaiah 64:1-9 (NIV) 64 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!

2 As

when fire sets twigs ablaze

and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!

3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.

But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry.

How then can we be saved?

6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

7 No one calls on your name 143

or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins.

8 Yet you, LORD, are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

9 Do

not be angry beyond measure, LORD; do not remember our sins forever.

Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.

1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (NIV) 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving 4I

always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Mark 13:24-37 (NIV) 24 “But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the

stars will fall from the sky,

and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

28 “Now

learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown 32 “But

about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore

keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Advent 1) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20 Song Father enthroned on high, Holy, holy Ancient, eternal Light, Hear our prayer.

(Chorus) Come, oh Redeemer, come, Grant us mercy.

Come, oh redeemer, come, Grant us peace.

Lord, save us from the dark Of our striving, Faithless and troubled hearts Weighed down.

(Chorus) Look now upon our need; Lord be with us.

Heal us and make us free from our sin.

(Chorus) Confession Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. – from The Book of Common Prayer Silence 146

Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice O Lord, according to your faithful love: He has heard our voice and is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen.

Invitatory Canticle: The Song of Zechariah – Luke 1:68-79 Sung refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us, To show mercy to our ancestors, • and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, 147

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Sung refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel) Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

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Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud� the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: We thank you, that having this hope, we purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Benediction Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

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Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Closing Hymn

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The Second Week of Advent Advent 2 (Year B) December 7, 2014

Last Judgment Angels carry torches beneath the figure of Christ, "the sun will become dark, the moon will no longer shine."

(1096-1107 France)

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Psalm of the Week Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (NIV) For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 You,

LORD, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You

forgave the iniquity of your people

and covered all their sins.

Psalm 85:8-13 (NIV) 8 I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.

9 Surely

his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,

and righteousness looks down from heaven.

LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

12 The

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Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Isaiah 40:1-11(NIV) Comfort for God’s People 40 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak

tenderly to Jerusalem,

and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.

3A

voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together.

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

6A

voice says, “Cry out.”

And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, 153

because the breath of the LORD blows on them.

Surely the people are grass.

8 The

grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God endures forever.”

9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm.

See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

2 Peter 3:8-15 (NIV) 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But

the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

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11 Since

everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So

then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

Mark 1:1-8 (NIV) John the Baptist Prepares the Way 1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Advent 2) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. – Psalm 40:1 Song Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end;

By His life He brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.

Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall; This the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

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Confession Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

- from Psalm 51 Silence Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. - from Psalm 32:16, NRSV Invitatory Canticle: The Song of Zechariah – Luke 1:68-79 Sung refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.

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Through his holy prophets God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us, To show mercy to our ancestors, • and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Sung refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) 159

-We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Let us go forth in joy to love and serve God in all that we do.

We are sent in the name of the risen Christ.

Let us bless our Lord.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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The Third Week of Advent Advent 3 (Year B) December 14, 2014

Preaching of John the Baptist (1508-1519 Cathedrale d’Amiens) 161

Psalm of the Week Psalm 126 (NIV) A song of ascents.

1 When

the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.

2 Our

mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.�

3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore

our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

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Advent Song

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Weekly Readings and Sermon Text Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV) The Year of the LORD’s Favor 61 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to

proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

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Isaiah 61:8-11 (NIV) 8 “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing.

In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their

descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples.

All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.”

10 I

delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Luke 1:46-55 (NIV) Mary’s Song 46 And

Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— 165

holy is his name. mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

50 His

51 He

has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.�

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NIV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do

not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May

God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

John 1:6-8 (NIV) 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might

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believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

John 1:19-28 (NIV) John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah 19 Now

this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They

asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.” 22 Finally

they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John

replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

24 Now

the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I

baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 This

all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Advent 3) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Matthew 11:28-30 Song Our mouths they were filled, filled with laughter Our tongues they were loosed, loosed with joy Restore us, O Lord Restore us, O Lord Although we are weeping Lord, help us keep sowing The seeds of Your Kingdom For the day You will reap them Your sheaves we will carry Lord, please do not tarry All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy The nations will say, “He has done great things!”

The nations will sing songs of joy Restore us, O Lord Restore us, O Lord Confession Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as 168

ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. – from The Book of Common Prayer Silence Lord, open our lips.

And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Hear our voice O Lord, according to your faithful love: He has heard our voice and is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen.

Invitatory Canticle: The Song of Zechariah – Luke 1:68-79 Sung refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us, To show mercy to our ancestors, • and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

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And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Sung refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) -We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: We 171

thank you, that having this hope, we purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Benediction Let us go forth in joy to love and serve God in all that we do.

We are sent in the name of the risen Christ.

Let us bless our Lord.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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The Fourth Week of Advent Advent 4 (Year B) December 21, 2014

Gabriel and Mary (1211 – Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral) 173

Psalm of the Week Psalm 89: 1-4, 19-26 (NIV) A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

1I

will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

2I

will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

3 You

said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4 ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’”

Psalm 89:19-26 (NIV) 19 Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: “I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have raised up a young man from among the people. have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him.

21 My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him.

22 The enemy will not get the better of him; the wicked will not oppress him.

23 I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries.

24 My faithful love will be with him, and through my name his horn will be exalted.

20 I

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25 I

will set his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers.

26 He

will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,

my God, the Rock my Savior.’

Weekly Readings and Sermon Text 2 Samuel 7:1-11(NIV) God’s Promise to David 7 After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

3 Nathan

replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.”

4 But

that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:

5 “Go

and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’

8 “Now

then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from 175

before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “‘The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 2 Samuel 7:16 (NIV) 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

Luke 1:46-55 (NIV) Mary’s Song 46 And

Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful

47

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49

for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

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52 He

has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

53 He

has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Romans 16:25-27 (NIV) 25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Luke 1:26-38 (NIV) The Birth of Jesus Foretold 26 In

the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary

was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and 177

will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How

will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The

angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I

am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Then the angel left her.

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Weekly Prayer Devotional (Advent 4) For Individual and Groups *(If used in a group setting, people’s part is in italics)

O God make speed to save us. *O Lord, make haste to help us.

Opening Scripture The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.

Habakkuk 2:20 Song Hail the blest morn, see the great Mediator, Down from the regions of glory descend!

Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger, Lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.

Refrain: Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid; Star of the east, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining; Low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore him, in slumbers reclining, Wise men and shepherds before him do fall.

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odors of Eden and offerings divine?

Gems from the mountain, and pearls from the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gold we his favor secure; Richer by far is the heart’s adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

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Confession Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

- from Psalm 51 Silence Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. - from Psalm 32:16, NRSV Invitatory Canticle: The Song of Zechariah – Luke 1:68-79 Sung refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.

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Through his holy prophets God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us, To show mercy to our ancestors, • and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Sung refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm of the Week (Recited, chanted, or sung. If in a group, read responsorially (every other verse) or recite entire Psalm together) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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Weekly Scripture Readings Old Testament Lesson New Testament Lesson (Please Stand)

Gospel Lesson (a short silence is kept after the reading of the Gospel)

Confession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed is said together) The Prayers of the People The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Sisters and brothers, our baptism calls us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy.

Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety.

Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations.

Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Intercessions (Spontaneous prayers and say “out loud” the names of those who come to mind)

-We pray for the people of...(countries or regions) 182

-We pray for our sisters and brothers...(churches, believers in other Christian traditions, spiritual leaders) -We pray for friends, relatives, and neighbors -We pray for the day and its tasks, individuals in need, the world and its needs, and for the Church and her life To God be all honor and glory, dominion and power, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we are bold to pray: The Lord’s Prayer (Groups are encouraged to stand together and hold hands) Collect for Mission O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Benediction Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Closing Hymn (Any appropriate song or version of the Doxology is sung)

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Evening Prayer Devotional Compline Modified from The Book of Common Prayer (1979 ed.) *Can be adapted for individual or corporate use. If a leader and congregation are present, the part of the congregation is designated in italics The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord; The maker of heaven and earth.

Let us confess our sins to God. Almighty God, our heavenly Father: We have sinned against you, through our own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone.

For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all our offenses; and grant that we may serve yo in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

May the Almighty God grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Gloria Patri (Sung or Spoken) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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*One or more of the following Psalms are sung or said. Other suitable selections may be substituted.

Psalm 4 Psalm 31 Psalm 91 Psalm 134 Gloria Patri (Sung or Spoken) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Thanks be to God. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.

Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye; Hide us under the shadow of your wings.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

The Lord’s Prayer Lord, hear our prayer; And let our cry come to you.

Let us pray: Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen. *Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.

Canticle: Song of Simeon (Luke 2: 29-32) Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God. The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.

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Abbreviated Prayers for Morning and Evening From The Small Catechism of Martin Luther

Morning Prayer In the morning when you get up, make the sign of the holy cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer: I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Then go joyfully to your work, singing a hymn, like that of the Ten Commandments, or whatever your devotion may suggest.

Evening Prayer In the evening when you go to bed, make the sign of the holy cross and say: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer: I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer 189

Prayers to Say Before Meals Meal Prayers Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe, for you give us food to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-from The Book of Common Prayer Loving Father, we thank you for your countless blessings, especially for the gift of your Son, for the Church, for our faith, and now for this meal.

Bless this food and the love that unites us.

Keep us forever grateful and generous in your service.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For these and all his mercies, God’s holy Name be blessed and praised; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-from The Book of Common Prayer From Psalm 136 Response: For his love endures forever.

Praise the Lord, who is so good. (Response) Praise the God of gods. (Response) Praise the Lord of lords. (Response) He freed us from our foes. (Response) And gives food to all flesh. (Response) Praise the God of heaven. (Response)

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The eyes of all wait upon You, O Lord, and You give them their food in due season; You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. –From The Small Catechism of Martin Luther

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A Prayer of General Thanksgiving From The Book of Common Prayer (1979 ed.)

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

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Form for Prayers of the People From The Worship Sourcebook (Second Edition) Let us pray for the church and for the world.

Grant, almighty God, that all who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. We pray for your church around the world, especially those who suffer because of your name in places of conflict. We join in their suffering and pray for those who persecute them.

(Silence) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace that we may honor one another and serve the common good. We pray for those who lead in serve us in our own community, for our civil and spiritual leaders.

(Silence) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. We pray for those in our own congregation who are directly involved in this task and reflect your image by seeking to cultivate the beauty of your Creation.

(Silence) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

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Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them and love one another as he loves us.

(Silence) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Comfort and heal all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

(Silence) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, mercifully accept the prayers of your people and strengthen us to do your will through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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Favorite Songs & Hymns

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