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, since Jesus is the Way to the Father, let us offer up our requests in His name.

That the Church will continue to be God's mouthpiece for the sanctity of every human life.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That the culture of death in the world will give way to a culture which respects every life, through the power of Him who overcame death.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That nations will enact laws promoting the dignity of women, marriage, motherhood, and family.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That those in the Pro-Life movement who have suffered ridicule, rejection, imprisonment or loss of personal property will be encouraged by us and mindful of their heavenly reward.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That those who are impoverished, imprisoned or suffering from natural disaster will be aided by God's people and see Him as their refuge and strength.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That our children will remain faithful to the Gospel and the calling that God has on their lives.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For our own special intentions. (Pause)
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

God of all creation, You are the sustainer of all life. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to proclaim Your Gospel throughout the whole earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN