Today Is: Proper 28

Collect for: Proper 28
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Malachi 3:16-18, 1-2

16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. 17 They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.' 18 Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

1 For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,' Says the LORD of hosts, 'That will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

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

Psalm
Psalm 98

1 Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. 2 The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Let us sing and shout for the Son of Righteousness

4 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. 5 Sing to the LORD with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, 6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.
Let us sing and shout for the Son of Righteousness

7 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; 8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD, 9 For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity.
Let us sing and shout for the Son of Righteousness

*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 3:6-13

6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

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

Gospel
Luke 20:39-47, 1-4

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 Luke.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Luke's Gospel chapter 20, beginning at verse 39.

39 Then some of the scribes answered and said, 'Teacher, You have spoken well.' 40 But after that they dared not question Him anymore. 41 And He said to them, 'How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? 42 Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: 'The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, 43 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.' ' 44 Therefore David calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?' 45 Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.' 1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, 'Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.'

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 28

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. Therefore, let us join in by bringing our needs and the needs of the whole world before the Father of us all.

That the Church will faithfully live out its God-given ministry of reconciliation within itself and without to a lost and dying world.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That God will provide apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers for equipping the saints in every generation.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That governments will enact and enforce laws protecting the most vulnerable in society, the poor, the powerless and the unborn.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That our schools and universities will be centers for sound learning and for the pursuit of wisdom, teaching Jesus to be the source of all truth.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. 

That we, like the widow of the Gospel, will surrender all for the furthering of God's Kingdom.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That we will not grow weary in doing good knowing that in due time we will receive our reward.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That we will be good stewards of God's creation.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, as we wait in joyful expectation for the coming of Your Son, hear our prayer and give us the grace to remain faithful till the end. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN