Today Is: Wednesday in Holy Week

Collect for: Wednesday in Holy Week
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Isaiah 50:4-9

4 The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. 5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. 6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. 8 He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me. 9 Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm
Psalm 70

1 To bring to remembrance. Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O LORD! 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back and confused Who desire my hurt. 3 Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, 'Aha, aha!' 4 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified!' 5 But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

*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
Hebrews 12:1-3

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel
Matthew 26:31-39

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 Matthew.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Matthew's Gospel chapter 26, beginning at verse 31.

31 Then Jesus said to them, 'All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.' 33 Peter answered and said to Him, 'Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.' 34 Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' 35 Peter said to Him, 'Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!' And so said all the disciples. 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, 'Sit here while I go and pray over there.' 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.' 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'

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

Prayers of the People for: Wednesday in Holy Week

Brothers and sisters, it is the sovereign Lord who helps us.

Therefore, let us bring our needs before Him. That the Church will remain faithful even during times of persecution.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That the Patriarch, all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons will live lives holy and pleasing to the Lord that the Father will be glorified even among non-believers.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That nations will put aside violence, aggression, and selfish interests and defend the poor, the powerless and the oppressed.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That we will have the same attitude as Christ Jesus when he said to the Father, 'not My Will but Thy Will be done'.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That we will watch and pray that we will not fall into temptation.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That during this Lenten season we will examine our conscience, amend our ways and meditate on the love God has demonstrated to us through Christ our Lord.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For our own special intentions. (Pause)
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, through Your Son Jesus our faith is being perfected. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to persevere in the Faith and not grow weary.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN