Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Proverbs 2:1-9
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
54
*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 3:13-18
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Mark 9:30-37
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 9, beginning at verse 30.
30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, 'The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.' 32 But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him. 33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, 'What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?' 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.' 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.'
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, God welcomes the prayers of His people.
Therefore, let us present to the Father our needs and the needs of the whole world.
That the Patriarch, all Bishops, Priests, Deacons and all who minister to God's people will have God's wisdom, favor and the anointing of His Holy Spirit.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the persecuted Church will be supernaturally sustained by God's grace until their deliverance comes.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That government leaders will enact laws that promote peace and opportunity for all their citizens.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That all nations will foster a Culture of Life that protects human rights and rejects abortion and any form of mercy killing.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will share the Gospel at every opportunity with all wisdom and gentleness, following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will humble ourselves and have the same servant's attitude as Christ Himself.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who are near death will be comforted by the promises of Christ and the presence and compassion of loved ones.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You have shown us through Your Son Jesus that to be the greatest in Your Kingdom is to be the servant of all.
Hear our prayer and give us the grace to count others as more important than ourselves.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN