Today Is: Fourth Sunday in Lent

Collect for: Fourth Sunday in Lent
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament
1 Samuel 16:1-7

1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.' 2 And Samuel said, 'How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.' And the LORD said, 'Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.' 4 So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, 'Do you come peaceably?' 5 And he said, 'Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.' Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, 'Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him.' 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'

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

Psalm
Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

*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
Ephesians 5:1-10

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

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

Gospel
John 9:1-11

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 John.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from John's Gospel chapter 9, beginning at verse 1.

1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 3 Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.' 6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, 'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam' (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. 8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, 'Is not this he who sat and begged?' 9 Some said, 'This is he.' Others said, 'He is like him.' He said, 'I am he.' 10 Therefore they said to him, 'How were your eyes opened?' 11 He answered and said, 'A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I received sight.'

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: Fourth Sunday in Lent

Brothers and sisters, as we continue our Lenten journey, let us offer ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice by praying for the needs of the whole world.

For the Patriarch and all Bishops, as successors of the apostles, that they will be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For the Persecuted Church and for the conversion of those who oppress Her.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For government leaders, that they will work tirelessly for that justice which is the foundation for real peace.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For godly leadership to be raised up in the Church and in society that will mobilize and equip God's people for the battles ahead.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For future generations, that there will be an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and all other Christian ministries.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those who have lost loved ones, that they will be comforted by the promises of Christ.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For the conversion of Islam and other world religions and philosophies that are in opposition to the Word of Truth.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, hear our prayer and give us eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to respond to the leading of Your Holy Spirit. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN