Today Is: Feast of our Lord and Giver of Life

Collect for: Feast of our Lord and Giver of Life
Oh Great King of Kings, let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven for the sanctity of all human life. You have said that your Kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Where there is unrighteousness let righteousness come to bear; where there is hostility, cause your peace to reign supreme and where there is sorrow, bring joy in the hearts of people. Lead us into your unshakable and everlasting kingdom in which you reign forever and ever, that truly the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdoms of our God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.?Amen.

Old Testament
Genesis 1:26-28

26 Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'

1 Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm
Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.' 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.' 7 I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' ' 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said
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.

New Testament
Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel
Matthew 18:1-5

Introduction to the Gospel:
Deacon:The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Matthew's Gospel chapter 18, beginning at verse 1.

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

After the Gospel reading, the deacon elevates the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Christ.

Prayers of the People

Prayers of the People for: Feast of our Lord and Giver of Life

Brothers and sisters, as Christ's priests on earth, let us bring the needs of the whole world to God in prayer.

That the Church will continue with all diligence in the call of the Great Commission to 'make disciples of all nations.'
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That governments will root out corruption and administer justice and mercy to all their people, especially the poor, the powerless and the unwanted child.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That those who are searching for meaning and purpose in life will find it through a relationship with the Incarnate Christ.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That parents and teachers will inspire our young to work in the service of others.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That we who are gathered around this Eucharistic Table will be mindful that our bodies are called to be a living and holy sacrifice before God.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That those who have given their lives to the Pro-life movement will see the fruit of their labor in their lifetime.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That those who have participated in abortions will repent and find the forgiveness available in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

God our Father, You sent Your Son to reveal Your love for us.  Hear our prayer and give us the grace to recognize Christ's voice and follow Him with steadfast faith.
We ask this in your name, Oh Lord.  AMEN