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
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
82
*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
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Luke 12:49-56
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
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