O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Genesis 12:1-8
1 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 4:1-5
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
John 3:1-17
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 3, beginning at verse 1.
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.' 3 Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' 4 Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?' 5 Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.' 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, 'How can these things be?' 10 Jesus answered and said to him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
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, as people born again into the Kingdom of God, let us turn to our God for the needs of the whole world.
That the Church, through word and deed, will manifest the love that God the Father has demonstrated to them through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That as the work of Jesus robbed death of its power, may we, with His help, work to foster a Culture of Life.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That all parents, priests, teachers, and catechists may effectively impart the Word of God to future generations,
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That all those whom we love and care for and are praying for will come to know the One True God and Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we, like Abraham, will trust God in all the circumstances in our lives.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the sick may be comforted and healed,
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will eagerly desire the Gifts of Spirit for the glory of God and the good of all.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, through Your grace and Your gift of faith, You justify the ungodly.
Hear our prayer and give us the grace to live our lives worthy of Your calling.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN