Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Isaiah 43:16-21
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
126
*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
Philippians 3:8-14
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
John 8:2-11
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 John.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from John's Gospel chapter 8, beginning at verse 2.
2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?' 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, 'He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.' 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?' 11 She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'
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
Brothers and sisters, our hope lies in the saving Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us, through Him, present our needs and those of the whole world to the Father.
For the Church; that She will grow in unity, in order that the world will know that Jesus came from God the Father.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For government leaders; that they will seek God for wisdom, truth, and peace.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering under persecution.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For mothers who are expecting; that they will welcome their child as a gift from God.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For victims of violence and abuse; that they will be protected and healed on every human level.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For those who have wandered far from God; that they will repent and experience the mercy of God once again.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For us; that we will keep our eyes on that which is eternal.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Father in heaven, You have done great things for us. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to be a thankful people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN