Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ?s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Isaiah 49:1-7
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
40
*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
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
John 1:29-42
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 1, beginning at verse 29.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.' 32 And John bore witness, saying, 'I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.' 35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, 'Behold the Lamb of God!' 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, 'What do you seek?' They said to Him, 'Rabbi' (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), 'where are You staying?' 39 He said to them, 'Come and see.' They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, 'You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas' (which is translated, A Stone).
After the Gospel reading, the deacon can elevate the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayers of the People
Brothers and sisters, the Lord desires that we cast our burdens upon Him for He cares for us. Therefore, let us go to Him in prayer.
For the Patriarch, all Bishops and clergy; that they will be endowed with the wisdom, favor, and anointing of God.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For the unity of the Church; that there will be no divisions among us but that we will be perfectly joined together.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For the nations; that they, like the Magi, will recognize the Kingship of Jesus.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For the poor, the hungry, the homeless and the abandoned.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For the same zeal to tell others about our encounter with Jesus as the apostle Andrew.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For the conversion of Islam and other world religions and philosophies that are in opposition to the Word of God.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For our enemies and those who have offended or persecuted us.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For our own special intentions. (Pause)
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, You sent Your only Son to be one of us and to become the perfect sacrifice for our rebellion and sin. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to be a thankful people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN