Today Is: Proper 25

Collect for: Proper 25
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Deuteronomy 34:1-12

1 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, 2 all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, 3 the South, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, 'This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.' 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. 7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended. 9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 10 But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, 12 and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

1 Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm
Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

*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
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness -- God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel
Matthew 22:34-46

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 Matthew.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Matthew's Gospel chapter 22, beginning at verse 34.

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?' 37 Jesus said to him, ' 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.' 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, 'What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?' They said to Him, 'The Son of David.' 43 He said to them, 'How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying: 44 The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool' '? 45 If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?' 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.

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 25

Brothers and sisters, the Lord is our Fortress and our Strength.  Therefore, let us bring our needs and the needs of the whole world before the God Who sustains us.

That the Patriarch and all Church leaders will have the wisdom, favor and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That nations will show compassion for strangers and refugees from other countries where they have been persecuted for their faith or ravaged by war.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That we will not be ashamed of the Gospel, but boldly live it out in our daily lives.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That our ears will be opened to the cries of the poor, the widow, the lonely and the unwanted child.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That married couples who are experiencing difficulty in their relationship will be reconciled to one another.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That there will be racial reconciliation in our land and revival in our inner cities.
Lord in Your mercy,          Hear our prayer.

That we will love and serve one another as Jesus loved and served us.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, You demonstrated Your love toward us by sending forth Your Son Jesus.  Hear our prayer and give us the grace to live out His commandment to love one another. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN