Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Genesis 2:18-24
1 Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
8
*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
Hebrews 2:10-13
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Mark 10:2-16
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 10, beginning at verse 2.
2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?' testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, 'What did Moses command you?' 4 They said, 'Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.' 5 And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.' 10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11 So He said to them, 'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.' 13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.' 16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
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 is our strength and our help in time of trouble.
Therefore, with confidence, let us turn to Him for our needs.
That the Church will continually preach the full Gospel even under the most difficult situations.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That Christians will take seriously God's command to make disciples of all nations.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That nations will enact laws that strengthen families and define marriage according to God's design.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the love which Christian husbands and wives have for one another will reflect the love which Christ has for His Church and the whole world.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who are unmarried and wish to be married will find a spouse according to God's Will for them.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who suffer in body and spirit will receive God's sufficient grace and our compassion until their healing comes.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the least, the lost and the lonely will find life, hope and peace through a relationship with Jesus, who said 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O Lord our Lord how majestic is Your name in all the earth.
Hear our prayer and give us the grace to live out Your command to love one another as You have loved us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.AMEN