O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; 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 50:4-11
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
19
*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 1:19-22
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Mark 8:27-35
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 8, beginning at verse 27.
27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, 'Who do men say that I am?' 28 So they answered, 'John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.' 29 He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered and said to Him, 'You are the Christ.' 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. 31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.' 34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, 'Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.
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, as a Kingdom of Priests, we have the responsibility and privilege to enter God's Throne room for grace and mercy in time of need.
Therefore, let us go to the Father for our needs and those of the whole world.
For those who defend us at home and abroad.
For the Church; that She will boldly proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the only way to the Father.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For nations; that they will proactively seek reconciliation and peace with all people.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For those in authority; that they will know and do God's Will and administer justice and mercy to all those they serve.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For the Jewish nation; that they will recognize Jesus as their Messiah.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For all Firefighters, Police officers, Military personnel and all civil servants who come to our aid and protection daily.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For families who have lost loved ones through terrorist attacks and those families who have lost loved ones defending us at home and abroad.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For us; that we will be doers of the Word and not just hearers.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know You is eternal life and to serve You is perfect freedom.
Defend us O Lord from every assault of our enemies, that we, surely trusting in Your defense may not fear the power of any adversary through the might of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord.
AMEN