Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
85
*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
Philippians 4:4-7
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Luke 3:7-18
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 Luke.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Luke's Gospel chapter 3, beginning at verse 7.
7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, 'Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.' 10 So the people asked him, saying, 'What shall we do then?' 11 He answered and said to them, 'He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.' 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, 'Teacher, what shall we do?' 13 And he said to them, 'Collect no more than what is appointed for you.' 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, 'And what shall we do?' So he said to them, 'Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.' 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, 'I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.' 18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.
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, since the Lord wants us to make our requests known to Him, let us bring our needs before the God of all.
That the Church, following the example of John the Baptist, will continue to preach the Gospel boldly regardless of the consequences.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Church will be a household of prayer for all nations.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That nations will strive for peace with one another and administer justice to all their citizens, especially the poor and the defenseless.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That doctors and nurses and all health care professionals will have the compassion of Christ and use their talents to always foster life and never to destroy it.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who are enslaved to any debilitating addiction will find their freedom in the Resurrected Christ.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will learn to rejoice always and in everything give thanks for this attitude is the Will of God for His people.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who live in constant fear and anxiety will experience the love of God and His peace which surpasses our understanding.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For our own special intentions. (Pause)
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You sent John the Baptist to announce the coming of Your Son. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to boldly declare to a lost and dying world His imminent return. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN