Today Is: Proper 17
Sun, 29 Aug 2021 -- The Lectionary Cycle is: B

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Collect for: Proper 17 Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament Deuteronomy 4:1-9 1 Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal Peor; for the LORD your God has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor. 4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you. 5 Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. 6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' 7 For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? 8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, 1 Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God. Psalm Psalm 15 1 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. *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 James 1:13-18 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God. Gospel Mark 7:14-23 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 Mark. People: Glory to You, Lord Christ. Deacon: We are reading from Mark's Gospel chapter 7, beginning at verse 14. 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, 'Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!' 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, 'Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?' 20 And He said, 'What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.' 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 17 Brothers and sisters, God's ears are always open to the prayers of His children. Therefore, let us petition Him for our needs and those of the whole world. For the Church; that She will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit with faith and humility. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. For the Word of God, the fellowship of other believers and the sacraments of the Church. For governments; that they will be guided by God's law and administer justice and mercy to all, especially the poor and the defenseless. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. For God's people; that they will hold fast to His commandment to love as Christ has loved us. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. For our inner cities; that violence, hopelessness and fear will be replaced by peace, prosperity and revival. 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 God. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. For widows and orphans, the poor and the oppressed; that they will be protected and defended by God's grace and the care of God's people. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. For parents and teachers; that they will teach, in both word and deed, the ways of the Lord to the next generation. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. Gracious Father, every good and perfect gift comes from You. Hear our prayer and keep us from the temptations that lead us into sin. We ask this through Christ our Lord.AMEN