Today Is: Proper 20
Sun, 19 Sep 2021 -- The Lectionary Cycle is: B

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Collect for: Proper 20 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 1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God. Psalm Psalm 54 1 Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah 4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life. 5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good. 7 For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies. *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 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God. Gospel Mark 9:30-37 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 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 Prayers of the People for: Proper 20 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