Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
92
*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 Corinthians 5:1-10
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Mark 4:26-34
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 4, beginning at verse 26.
26 And He said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.' 30 Then He said, 'To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.' 33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
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, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.
Therefore, let us bring our needs and those of the whole world before Him.
That the Church will be faithful in preaching 'the Kingdom of God is at hand.
' Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That government leaders will seek after justice and mercy, especially for the poor and the powerless.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That nations will enact laws concerning the right to life for every human being from conception to natural death.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Holy Spirit will pour out His gifts abundantly upon His people and that they will be faithfully used to further God's Kingdom on earth.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we, like the Apostle Paul, will make it our aim to please God in all that we do.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those troubled with bitterness and un-forgiveness will forgive those who have wronged them by remembering the forgiveness Christ has extended to us.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who are sick may be comforted and healed and those who are near death may have peace through the promises of Christ.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, You have sealed us until the Day of redemption by Your Holy Spirit.
Hear these prayers and give us the grace to follow His leading.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN