Collect for: Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your servant Laurence triumphed over suffering and despised death: Grant, we pray, that we, steadfast in service to the poor and outcast, may share with him in the joys of your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm
Psalm
126
1 When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'
3 The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad.
4 Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.
*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.
Old Testament
Job 29:11-17
11 When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me;
12 Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper.
13 The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know.
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the victim from his teeth.
6
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
New Testament
2 Corinthians 9:6-10
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
9 As it is written: 'He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.'
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
John 12:24-26
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 John.
People:
Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon:
We are reading from John's Gospel chapter 12, beginning at verse 24.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
After the Gospel reading, the deacon elevates the book and says:
Deacon:
The Gospel of the Lord.
People:
Praise to You, Lord Christ.