Today Is: Proper 15

Collect for: Proper 15
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Jeremiah 23:23-29

23 Am I a God near at hand,' says the LORD, 'And not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?' says the LORD; 'Do I not fill heaven and earth?' says the LORD. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' 26 How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, 27 who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. 28 The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?' says the LORD. 29 Is not My word like a fire?' says the LORD, 'And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

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

Psalm
Psalm 82

1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. 2 How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked. 5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable. 6 I said, 'You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. 7 But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.' 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.

*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
Hebrews 12:1-6

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.'

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

Gospel
Luke 12:49-56

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 Luke.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Luke's Gospel chapter 12, beginning at verse 49.

49 I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' 54 Then He also said to the multitudes, 'Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is. 55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

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: Proper 15

Brothers and sisters, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. Therefore, let us go to God in prayer.

For the Church; that She will be faithful to preach the full Gospel regardless of the cost.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For the nations; that they will lay aside any hatred or bitterness and work together toward reconciliation and peace.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For parents who await the arrival of a new born; that they will see the child as a gift from God.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For our inner cities; that violence, drug abuse, poverty and fear will be replaced by peace, sobriety, prosperity and revival.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For the poor, the widow, the orphan and the homeless.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For agriculture; that God will make the earth fruitful and bless those who cultivate the fields.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those who protect us at home and abroad.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, Your Son Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to be faithful to Your calling. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN