O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Job 19:13-27
1 Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
17
*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
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Luke 20:27-38
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 Luke.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Luke's Gospel chapter 20, beginning at verse 27.
27 Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 28 saying: 'Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. 31 Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.' 34 And Jesus answered and said to them, 'The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' 38 For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to 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, when all else fails us, God remains faithful to us. Therefore, let us bring our anxieties and those of others before Him.
That the Patriarch, all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons will live lives holy and pleasing to God that His name will be glorified even among non-believers.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Gospel will be freely preached in all nations without hindrance.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That government officials will root out corruption and ensure justice for all those they serve, especially the poor and the powerless.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the dignity of all life will be protected from conception to natural death.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Power, the Fruit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit will manifest themselves abundantly in our midst.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That all missions and Churches, especially those in third world countries, will be provided with the necessary resources to further God's Kingdom and to meet the needs of their people.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the poor, the homeless and the hungry will find their provision in God and their help through His people.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will commit ourselves to love and doing what God commands.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You are faithful and will guard us against the evil one. Hear our prayer and direct our hearts into Your love and into the patience of Christ. We ask this through His Most Precious Name.