O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
25 Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? 26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. 27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. 28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,' says the Lord GOD. 'Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,' says the Lord GOD. 'Therefore turn and live!'
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
25
*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
Philippians 2:1-4
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Matthew 21:23-32
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 Matthew.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Matthew's Gospel chapter 21, beginning at verse 23.
23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, 'By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?' 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, 'I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John -- where was it from? From heaven or from men?' And they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.' 27 So they answered Jesus and said, 'We do not know.' And He said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 28 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' 29 He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?' They said to Him, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
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, being of one Spirit and of one mind, let us come before God offering our prayers on behalf of the whole world.
That the Church will preach the full Gospel unashamedly and without apology.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That world leaders will work to bring justice and peace to all their people, especially the poor and the oppressed.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Church's call to repentance and the promise of mercy and forgiveness will reach and comfort all those who suffer from past involvements in abortion.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That many in every generation will accept the call of God to serve His people as Priests, Deacons and other ministry leaders.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who are suffering from addictions will receive God's grace and be strengthened in their work toward recovery.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will not only look out for our interest, but also for the interest of others.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who have lost loved ones recently will be comforted by the Resurrected Jesus.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For our own special intentions. (Pause)
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, Your desire is to conform us into the image of Your Son.
Hear our prayer and give us the grace to walk humbly and obediently before You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN