O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Hosea 5:15-15, 1-6
1 Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. 3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth. 4 O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away. 5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments are like light that goes forth. 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
33
*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
Romans 4:13-22
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Matthew 9:9-13
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 9, beginning at verse 9.
9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, 'Follow Me.' So he arose and followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?' 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.'
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, through Jesus we have access to God the Father in heaven.
Therefore, let us go to Him in prayer for the needs of the entire world,
That the Patriarch and all Bishops will be given the wisdom, favor, and anointing of the Holy Spirit to lead God's people to their eternal home.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Church will zealously obey Her commission to go and make disciples of all nations.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That righteous men and women will be raised up into positions of leadership and authority at every level in society.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who defend us at home and abroad will be granted the wisdom, courage, compassion, and protection that comes from above.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those whom we love and care for and are praying for, especially our children, will like Matthew, hear the call of Jesus and follow Him.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That our schools will realize and teach that Jesus is the source of all Truth.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who have lost loved ones will be comforted by the promises of the Risen Lord,
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Father in heaven, help us to love one another and so prove to be Your disciples.
Hear our prayer and grant these requests for our good and for Your glory, we ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.