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Sunday 15 September 2019 Alternative 1 of 2 13th Sunday after Trinity Proper 19 Year C

by

Almighty God,

who called your Church to bear witness

that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:

help us to proclaim the good news of your love,

that all who hear it may be drawn to you;

through him who was lifted up on the cross,

and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Almighty God,

you search us and know us:

may we rely on you in strength

and rest on you in weakness,

now and in all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Continuous:

Jeremiah 4.11-12, 22-28

11 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert towards my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— 12a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgement against them.

22 ‘For my people are foolish,

   they do not know me;

they are stupid children,

   they have no understanding.

They are skilled in doing evil,

   but do not know how to do good.’

23 I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void;

   and to the heavens, and they had no light.

24 I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,

   and all the hills moved to and fro.

25 I looked, and lo, there was no one at all,

   and all the birds of the air had fled.

26 I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert,

   and all its cities were laid in ruins

   before the Lord, before his fierce anger.

27 For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.

28 Because of this the earth shall mourn,

   and the heavens above grow black;

for I have spoken, I have purposed;

   I have not relented nor will I turn back.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 14

1  The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ •

   Corrupt are they, and abominable in their wickedness;

      there is no one that does good.

2  The Lord has looked down from heaven

      upon the children of earth, •

   to see if there is anyone who is wise

      and seeks after God.

3  But every one has turned back;

      all alike have become corrupt: •

   there is none that does good; no, not one.

4  Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, •

   who eat up my people as if they ate bread

      and do not call upon the Lord?

5  There shall they be in great fear; •

   for God is in the company of the righteous.

6  Though they would confound the counsel of the poor, •

   yet the Lord shall be their refuge.

7  O that Israel’s salvation would come out of Zion! •

   When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,

      then will Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

1 Timothy 1.12-17

12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Related:

Exodus 32.7-14

7 The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; 8they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it, and said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” ’ 9The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. 10Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.’

11 But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, ‘O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, “I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.” ’ 14And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 51.1-11

1  Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; •

   according to the abundance of your compassion

      blot out my offences.

2  Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness •

   and cleanse me from my sin.

3  For I acknowledge my faults •

   and my sin is ever before me.

4  Against you only have I sinned •

   and done what is evil in your sight,

5  So that you are justified in your sentence •

   and righteous in your judgement.

6  I have been wicked even from my birth, •

   a sinner when my mother conceived me.

7  Behold, you desire truth deep within me •

   and shall make me understand wisdom

      in the depths of my heart.

8  Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; •

   wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

9  Make me hear of joy and gladness, •

   that the bones you have broken may rejoice.

10  Turn your face from my sins •

   and blot out all my misdeeds.

11  Make me a clean heart, O God, •

   and renew a right spirit within me.

1 Timothy 1.12-17

12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

AllGlory to you, O Lord.

Luke 15.1-10

15

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

3 So he told them this parable: 4‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

8 ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

God our creator,

you feed your children with the true manna,

the living bread from heaven:

let this holy food sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage

until we come to that place where hunger and thirst are no more;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 8 September 2019 Alternative 1 of 2 12th Sunday after Trinity Proper 18 Year C

by
Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,

you are always more ready to hear than we to pray

and to give more than either we desire or deserve:

pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,

forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid

and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask

but through the merits and mediation

of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

God of constant mercy,

who sent your Son to save us:

remind us of your goodness,

increase your grace within us,

that our thankfulness may grow,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Continuous:
Jeremiah 18.1-11

18The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ 3So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. 9And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. 11Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 139.1-5, 12-18

1  O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; •
   you know my sitting down and my rising up;
      you discern my thoughts from afar.
2  You mark out my journeys and my resting place •
   and are acquainted with all my ways.
3  For there is not a word on my tongue, •
   but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4  You encompass me behind and before •
   and lay your hand upon me.
5  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, •
   so high that I cannot attain it.
12  For you yourself created my inmost parts; •
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
13  I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; •
   marvellous are your works, my soul knows well.
14  My frame was not hidden from you, •
   when I was made in secret
      and woven in the depths of the earth.
15  Your eyes beheld my form, as yet unfinished; •
   already in your book were all my members written,
16  As day by day they were fashioned •
   when as yet there was none of them.
17  How deep are your counsels to me, O God! •
   How great is the sum of them!
18  If I count them, they are more in number than the sand, •
   and at the end, I am still in your presence.

[or Psalm 139.1-7]

1  O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; •
   you know my sitting down and my rising up;
      you discern my thoughts from afar.
2  You mark out my journeys and my resting place •
   and are acquainted with all my ways.
3  For there is not a word on my tongue, •
   but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4  You encompass me behind and before •
   and lay your hand upon me.
5  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, •
   so high that I cannot attain it.
6  Where can I go then from your spirit? •
   Or where can I flee from your presence?
7  If I climb up to heaven, you are there; •
   if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

Philemon 1-21

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2to Apphia our sister,to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God5because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed usefulboth to you and to me. 12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for ever, 16no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Related:
Deuteronomy 30.15-end

15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. 16If you obey the commandments of the Lord your Godthat I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. 17But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, 18I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.19I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 1

1  Blessed are they who have not walked
      in the counsel of the wicked, •
   nor lingered in the way of sinners,
      nor sat in the assembly of the scornful.
2  Their delight is in the law of the Lord •
   and they meditate on his law day and night.
3  Like a tree planted by streams of water
      bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither, •
   whatever they do, it shall prosper.
4  As for the wicked, it is not so with them; •
   they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5  Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement, •
   nor the sinner in the congregation of the righteous.
6  For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, •
   but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Philemon 1-21

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2to Apphia our sister,to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God5because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. 7I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed usefulboth to you and to me. 12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for ever, 16no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Luke 14.25-33

25 Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

God of all mercy,

in this eucharist you have set aside our sins

and given us your healing:

grant that we who are made whole in Christ

may bring that healing to this broken world,

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 1 September 2019 11th Sunday after Trinity Proper 17 Year C

by

O God, you declare your almighty power

most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:

mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,

that we, running the way of your commandments,

may receive your gracious promises,

and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

God of glory,

the end of our searching,

help us to lay aside

all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom,

and to give all that we have

to gain the pearl beyond all price,

through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Readings
Continuous:
Jeremiah 2.4-13

4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5Thus says the Lord:
What wrong did your ancestors find in me
   that they went far from me,
and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves? 
6 They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord
   who brought us up from the land of Egypt,
who led us in the wilderness,
   in a land of deserts and pits,
in a land of drought and deep darkness,
   in a land that no one passes through,
   where no one lives?’ 
7 I brought you into a plentiful land
   to eat its fruits and its good things.
But when you entered you defiled my land,
   and made my heritage an abomination. 
8 The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’
   Those who handle the law did not know me;
the rulers transgressed against me;
   the prophets prophesied by Baal,
   and went after things that do not profit. 

9 Therefore once more I accuse you, 

says the Lord,
   and I accuse your children’s children. 
10 Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,
   send to Kedar and examine with care;
   see if there has ever been such a thing. 
11 Has a nation changed its gods,
   even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
   for something that does not profit. 
12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
   be shocked, be utterly desolate, 

says the Lord, 
13 for my people have committed two evils:
   they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living water,
   and dug out cisterns for themselves,
cracked cisterns
   that can hold no water. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 81.1, 10-end

1  Sing merrily to God our strength, •
   shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
10  ‘I am the Lord your God,
      who brought you up from the land of Egypt; •
   open your mouth wide and I shall fill it.’
11  But my people would not hear my voice •
   and Israel would not obey me.
12  So I sent them away in the stubbornness of their hearts, •
   and let them walk after their own counsels.
13  O that my people would listen to me, •
   that Israel would walk in my ways!
14  Then I should soon put down their enemies •
   and turn my hand against their adversaries.
15  Those who hate the Lord would be humbled before him, •
   and their punishment would last for ever.
16  But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat •
   and with honey from the rock would I satisfy them.

[or Psalm 81.1-11]

1  Sing merrily to God our strength, •
   shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
2  Take up the song and sound the timbrel, •
   the tuneful lyre with the harp.
3  Blow the trumpet at the new moon, •
   as at the full moon, upon our solemn feast day.
4  For this is a statute for Israel, •
   a law of the God of Jacob,
5  The charge he laid on the people of Joseph, •
   when they came out of the land of Egypt.
6  I heard a voice I did not know, that said: •
   ‘I eased their shoulder from the burden;
      their hands were set free from bearing the load.
7  ‘You called upon me in trouble and I delivered you; •
   I answered you from the secret place of thunder
      and proved you at the waters of Meribah.
8  ‘Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: •
   O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9  ‘There shall be no strange god among you; •
   you shall not worship a foreign god.
10  ‘I am the Lord your God,
      who brought you up from the land of Egypt; •
   open your mouth wide and I shall fill it.’
11  But my people would not hear my voice •
   and Israel would not obey me.

Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16

13Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.4Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ 6So we can say with confidence,
‘The Lord is my helper;
   I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?’

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. 15Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Related:
Ecclesiasticus 10.12-18

12 The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord;
   the heart has withdrawn from its Maker. 
13 For the beginning of pride is sin,
   and the one who clings to it pours out abominations.
Therefore the Lord brings upon them unheard-of calamities,
   and destroys them completely. 
14 The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers,
   and enthrones the lowly in their place. 
15 The Lord plucks up the roots of the nations,
   and plants the humble in their place. 
16 The Lord lays waste the lands of the nations,
   and destroys them to the foundations of the earth. 
17 He removes some of them and destroys them,
   and erases the memory of them from the earth. 
18 Pride was not created for human beings,
   or violent anger for those born of women. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
or Proverbs 25.6-7

6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
   or stand in the place of the great; 
7 for it is better to be told, ‘Come up here’,
   than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. 

What your eyes have seen

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 112

1  Alleluia.
      Blessed are those who fear the Lord •
   and have great delight in his commandments.
2  Their descendants will be mighty in the land, •
   a generation of the faithful that will be blest.
3  Wealth and riches will be in their house, •
   and their righteousness endures for ever.
4  Light shines in the darkness for the upright; •
   gracious and full of compassion are the righteous.
5  It goes well with those who are generous in lending •
   and order their affairs with justice,
6  For they will never be shaken; •
   the righteous will be held in everlasting remembrance.
7  They will not be afraid of any evil tidings; •
   their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8  Their heart is sustained and will not fear, •
   until they see the downfall of their foes.
9  They have given freely to the poor;
      their righteousness stands fast for ever; •
   their head will be exalted with honour.
10  The wicked shall see it and be angry;
      they shall gnash their teeth in despair; •
   the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16

13Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.4Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ 6So we can say with confidence,
‘The Lord is my helper;
   I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?’

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. 15Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Luke 14.1, 7-14

14On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. 8‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

12 He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

Lord of all mercy,

we your faithful people have celebrated that one true sacrifice

which takes away our sins and brings pardon and peace:

by our communion

keep us firm on the foundation of the gospel

and preserve us from all sin;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 25 August 2019 10th Sunday after Trinity Proper 16 Year C

by

Let your merciful ears, O Lord,

be open to the prayers of your humble servants;

and that they may obtain their petitions

make them to ask such things as shall please you;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Lord of heaven and earth,

as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer,

give us patience and courage never to lose hope,

but always to bring our prayers before you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Continuous:
Jeremiah 1.4-10

4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 
5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ 
6Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ 7But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you. 
8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you, 

says the Lord.’ 
9Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me,
‘Now I have put my words in your mouth. 
10 See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.’

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 71.1-6

1  In you, O Lord, do I seek refuge; •
   let me never be put to shame.
2  In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; •
   incline your ear to me and save me.
3  Be for me a stronghold to which I may ever resort; •
   send out to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4  Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, •
   from the grasp of the evildoer and the oppressor.
5  For you are my hope, O Lord God, •
   my confidence, even from my youth.
6  Upon you have I leaned from my birth,
      when you drew me from my mother’s womb; •
   my praise shall be always of you.

Hebrews 12.18-end

18 You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20(For they could not endure the order that was given, ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.’ 21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’) 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.’ 27This phrase ‘Yet once more’ indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29for indeed our God is a consuming fire. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Related:
Isaiah 58.9b-end

9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
   you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. 

If you remove the yoke from among you,
   the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 
10 if you offer your food to the hungry
   and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
   and your gloom be like the noonday. 
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
   and satisfy your needs in parched places,
   and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
   like a spring of water,
   whose waters never fail. 
12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
   you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
   the restorer of streets to live in. 

13 If you refrain from trampling the sabbath,
   from pursuing your own interests on my holy day;
if you call the sabbath a delight
   and the holy day of the Lord honourable;
if you honour it, not going your own ways,
   serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs; 
14 then you shall take delight in the Lord,
   and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob,
   for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 103.1-8

1  Bless the Lord, O my soul, •
   and all that is within me bless his holy name.
2  Bless the Lord, O my soul, •
   and forget not all his benefits;
3  Who forgives all your sins •
   and heals all your infirmities;
4  Who redeems your life from the Pit •
   and crowns you with faithful love and compassion;
5  Who satisfies you with good things, •
   so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
6  The Lord executes righteousness •
   and judgement for all who are oppressed.
7  He made his ways known to Moses •
   and his works to the children of Israel.
8  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, •
   slow to anger and of great kindness.

Hebrews 12.18-end

18 You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20(For they could not endure the order that was given, ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.’ 21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’) 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.’ 27This phrase ‘Yet once more’ indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29for indeed our God is a consuming fire. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Luke 13.10-17

10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ 15But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

God of our pilgrimage,

you have willed that the gate of mercy

should stand open for those who trust in you:

look upon us with your favour

that we who follow the path of your will

may never wander from the way of life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 18 August 2019 9th Sunday after Trinity Proper 15 Year C

by

Almighty God,

who sent your Holy Spirit

to be the life and light of your Church:

open our hearts to the riches of your grace,

that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit

in love and joy and peace;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Gracious Father,

revive your Church in our day,

and make her holy, strong and faithful,

for your glory’s sake

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Continuous:
Isaiah 5.1-7

5Let me sing for my beloved
   my love-song concerning his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
   on a very fertile hill. 
2 He dug it and cleared it of stones,
   and planted it with choice vines;
he built a watch-tower in the midst of it,
   and hewed out a wine vat in it;
he expected it to yield grapes,
   but it yielded wild grapes. 

3 And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem
   and people of Judah,
judge between me
   and my vineyard. 
4 What more was there to do for my vineyard
   that I have not done in it?
When I expected it to yield grapes,
   why did it yield wild grapes? 

5 And now I will tell you
   what I will do to my vineyard.
I will remove its hedge,
   and it shall be devoured;
I will break down its wall,
   and it shall be trampled down. 
6 I will make it a waste;
   it shall not be pruned or hoed,
   and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns;
I will also command the clouds
   that they rain no rain upon it. 

7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts
   is the house of Israel,
and the people of Judah
   are his pleasant planting;
he expected justice,
   but saw bloodshed;
righteousness,
   but heard a cry!

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 80.1-2, 9-end

1  Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, •
   you that led Joseph like a flock;
2  Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, •
   before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
9  You brought a vine out of Egypt; •
   you drove out the nations and planted it.
10  You made room around it, •
   and when it had taken root, it filled the land.
11  The hills were covered with its shadow •
   and the cedars of God by its boughs.
12  It stretched out its branches to the Sea •
   and its tendrils to the River.
13  Why then have you broken down its wall, •
   so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
14  The wild boar out of the wood tears it off, •
   and all the insects of the field devour it.
15  Turn again, O God of hosts, •
   look down from heaven and behold;
16  Cherish this vine which your right hand has planted, •
   and the branch that you made so strong for yourself.
17  Let those who burnt it with fire, who cut it down, •
   perish at the rebuke of your countenance.
18  Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, •
   the son of man you made so strong for yourself.
19  And so will we not go back from you; •
   give us life, and we shall call upon your name.
20  Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; •
   show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

[or Psalm 80.9-end]

9  You brought a vine out of Egypt; •
   you drove out the nations and planted it.
10  You made room around it, •
   and when it had taken root, it filled the land.
11  The hills were covered with its shadow •
   and the cedars of God by its boughs.
12  It stretched out its branches to the Sea •
   and its tendrils to the River.
13  Why then have you broken down its wall, •
   so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
14  The wild boar out of the wood tears it off, •
   and all the insects of the field devour it.
15  Turn again, O God of hosts, •
   look down from heaven and behold;
16  Cherish this vine which your right hand has planted, •
   and the branch that you made so strong for yourself.
17  Let those who burnt it with fire, who cut it down, •
   perish at the rebuke of your countenance.
18  Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, •
   the son of man you made so strong for yourself.
19  And so will we not go back from you; •
   give us life, and we shall call upon your name.
20  Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; •
   show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Hebrews 11.29-12.2

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40since God had provided something better so that they would not, without us, be made perfect.

12Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Related:
Jeremiah 23.23-29

23 Am I a God near by, says the Lord, and not a God far off? 24Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord. 25I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? 27They plan to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, just as their ancestors forgot my name for Baal. 28Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the Lord. 29Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 82

1  God has taken his stand in the council of heaven; •
   in the midst of the gods he gives judgement:
2  ‘How long will you judge unjustly •
   and show such favour to the wicked?
3  ‘You were to judge the weak and the orphan; •
   defend the right of the humble and needy;
4  ‘Rescue the weak and the poor; •
   deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5  ‘They have no knowledge or wisdom;
      they walk on still in darkness: •
   all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6  ‘Therefore I say that though you are gods •
   and all of you children of the Most High,
7  ‘Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals •
   and fall like one of their princes.’
8  Arise, O God and judge the earth, •
   for it is you that shall take all nations for your possession.

Hebrews 11.29-12.2

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40since God had provided something better so that they would not, without us, be made perfect.

12Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Luke 12.49-56

49 ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
father against son
   and son against father,
mother against daughter
   and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
   and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

54 He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

Holy Father,

who gathered us here around the table of your Son

to share this meal with the whole household of God:

in that new world where you reveal the fullness of your peace,

gather people of every race and language to share in the eternal banquet of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Feast day of falling sleep of Mary August 15

by
Collect

Almighty God,

who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary

and chose her to be the mother of your only Son:

grant that we who are redeemed by his blood

may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Readings
Isaiah 61.10-end

10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
   my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
   he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
   and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
   to spring up before all the nations. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
or Revelation 11.19-12.6, 10

19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. 

12A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. 3Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. 5And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; 6and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,
‘Now have come the salvation and the power
   and the kingdom of our God
   and the authority of his Messiah,
for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down,
   who accuses them day and night before our God.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 45.10-end

10  Hear, O daughter; consider and incline your ear; •
   forget your own people and your father’s house.
11  So shall the king have pleasure in your beauty; •
   he is your lord, so do him honour.
12  The people of Tyre shall bring you gifts; •
   the richest of the people shall seek your favour.
13  The king’s daughter is all glorious within; •
   her clothing is embroidered cloth of gold.
14  She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework; •
   after her the virgins that are her companions.
15  With joy and gladness shall they be brought •
   and enter into the palace of the king.
16  ‘Instead of your fathers you shall have sons, •
   whom you shall make princes over all the land.
17  ‘I will make your name to be remembered through all generations; •
   therefore shall the peoples praise you for ever and ever.’

Galatians 4.4-7

4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ 7So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Luke 1.46-55

46 And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, 
47   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 
48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name. 
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation. 
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly; 
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty. 
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy, 
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
White
Invitation to Confession

We have done what was wrong in the Lord’s sight

and chosen what displeased him.

Yet as a mother comforts her child,

so shall the Lord himself comfort us.

So let us come to him who knows our every deed and thought.

(or)

Born of a woman, born under the law,

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of sin:

let us come to him that he may heal us and set us free:

Kyrie Confession

Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary:

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendour of the Father;

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,

who stooped to raise fallen humanity

through the child-bearing of blessed Mary:

grant that we, who have seen your glory

revealed in our human nature

and your love made perfect in our weakness,

may daily be renewed in your image

and conformed to the pattern of your Son

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Lectionary

Genesis 3.8-15,20; Isaiah 7.10-14; Micah 5.1-4

Psalms 45.10-17; 113; 131

Acts 1.12-14; Romans 8.18-30; Galatians 4.4-7

Luke 1.26-38 or 1.39-47; John 19.25-27

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia.

My soul magnifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

Luke 1.46,47

Alleluia.

(or)

Alleluia, alleluia.

My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has looked with favour on

the lowliness of his servant.

Luke 1.47,48

Alleluia.

(or)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Greetings, favoured one. The Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

cf Luke 1.28,42

Alleluia.

(or)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

cf Luke 1.28,42

Alleluia.

Intercession

As we pray to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

we say with Mary:

Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.

Holy is your name.

Your prophet of old foretold a day when a virgin would conceive

and bear a son who would be called God-with-us.

Help us to look forward to your deliverance

and to seek the fullness of your kingdom.

Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.

Holy is your name.

Your angel declared to Mary that she was to be

the mother of the Saviour.

Help [… and] every Christian person to be open to your word

and obedient to your will.

Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.

Holy is your name.

Mary rejoiced with Elizabeth and sang your praise,

‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.’

Help us to live joyful lives that sing your praise.

Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.

Holy is your name.

Mary bore a son of David’s line,

a king whose reign would never end.

Bless [… and] all the nations of the world with Christ’s gift of peace.

Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.

Holy is your name.

The child Jesus grew in wisdom and stature

in the home of Mary and Joseph.

Strengthen our homes and families,

and keep under your protection [… and] all those whom we love.

Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.

Holy is your name.

At the foot of the cross of Christ stood his mother,

and from the cross she received his lifeless body in her arms.

Give comfort and healing to [… and] all who suffer

and all who watch the suffering of those they love.

Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.

Holy is your name.

The apostle John saw a vision of a woman in heaven,

robed with the sun.

Bring us with [… and] all those who have died in the faith of Christ

to share the joy of heaven with Mary and all the saints.

Lord, have mercy on those who fear you.

Holy is your name.

Almighty and everlasting God,

your handmaid Mary magnified your name

and rejoiced in your saving love:

trusting in that same love,

we ask all these our prayers

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Introduction to the Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,

and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9.6

Prayer at the Preparation of the Table

God our Father,

your handmaid Mary fed your Son at her virgin breast.

Nourish us at this table with the bread of heaven

and the cup of salvation.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Preface

And now we give you thanks

because, by the power of the Holy Spirit,

he took our nature upon him

and was born of the Virgin Mary his mother,

that being himself without sin,

he might make us clean from all sin.

(or)

And now we give you thanks

because in choosing the blessed Virgin Mary

to be the mother of your Son

you have exalted the humble and meek.

Your angel hailed her as most highly favoured;

with all generations we call her blessed

and with her we rejoice and magnify your holy name.

(or)

And now we give you thanks

that he is your eternal Son, the King of glory.

When he took our flesh to set us free

he did not abhor the Virgin’s womb.

Seated at your right hand in glory,

he will come to be our judge

and to bring us with the saints to glory everlasting.

(or)

And now we give you thanks

because he shared our life in human form

from the warmth of Mary’s womb

to the stillness of the grave.

Extended Preface

It is indeed right and good,

our duty and our salvation,

almighty Father, ever-living God,

to proclaim the wonders you have worked in all your saints,

and on the feast of Mary, ever blessed,

to echo her praise of your loving kindness.

For you have truly done great things

and holy is your name,

and your mercy is on those who fear you

in every generation.

When you looked with favour on your lowly servant

you remembered your promise of mercy

and gave the world through her

your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Through him the hosts of heaven adore you

and rejoice in your presence for ever.

May our voices join with theirs

in the triumphant hymn of praise:

(or)

It is indeed right and good,

our duty and our salvation,

almighty Father, ever-living God,

to give you thanks and praise

for the work of your grace in the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For by the overshadowing of your Holy Spirit

she conceived and bore the Word made flesh.

At the cross she kept her vigil,

and saw the saving work of your Son brought to its perfection.

She rejoiced in his resurrection,

and joining her prayers with those of the apostles,

was filled with the gift of your promised Spirit.

In her you show us the greatness of your love,

and the wonderful purpose you intend for all your children.

Therefore we join our voice with hers,

and all the company of heaven,

as they sing with joy the hymn of your glory:

(or)

All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere,

mighty creator, ever-living God.

We give you thanks and praise for your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who for love of our fallen race humbled himself,

was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of your Spirit,

and lived as one of us.

In this mystery of the Word made flesh

you have caused his light to shine in our hearts,

to give knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

In him we see our God made visible

and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot see.

Therefore with all the angels of heaven

we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name

and sing our joyful hymn of praise:

See also the Extended Preface for the Annunciation (here).

Post Communion

God most high,

whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh:

we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption

you visit us with your Holy Spirit

and overshadow us by your power;

strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience

and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Christ the Son of God, born of Mary,

fill you with his grace to trust his promises and obey his will;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

(or)

May the love of the Holy Family surround you.

May the joy that was Mary’s refresh you.

May the faithfulness that was Joseph’s encourage you.

May the peace of the Christ-child fill your lives.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

(or)

May the Father,

who has loved the eternal Son

from before the foundation of the world,

shed that love upon you his children.

Amen.

May Christ,

who by his incarnation gathered into one

things earthly and heavenly,

fill you with joy and peace.

Amen.

May the Holy Spirit,

by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer,

give you grace to carry the good news of Christ.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

(or)

When the Word became flesh

earth was joined to heaven in the womb of Mary:

may the love and obedience of Mary be your example.

Amen.

May the peace of Christ

rule in your hearts and homes.

Amen.

May you be filled with the joy of the Spirit

and the gifts of your eternal home.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Acclamation

Blessed is she who had faith

that the Lord’s promise would be fulfilled.

All generations shall call her blessed.

So tenderly has he looked upon his servant.

All generations shall call her blessed.

Blessed is she among women and blessed is the fruit of her womb.

All generations shall call her blessed.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Holy is his name.

All generations shall call her blessed.

Short Passages of Scripture

Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord;

let it be to me according to your word.’

Luke 1.38

Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.

Luke 1.45

Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2.19

Jesus said,

‘Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’

Luke 11.28

Common Worship: Festivals, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2008 and published by Church House Publishing

Post Communion

God most high,

whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh:

we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption

you visit us with your Holy Spirit

and overshadow us by your power;

strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience

and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 11 August 2019 8th Sunday after Trinity Proper 14 Year C

by
Collect

Almighty Lord and everlasting God,

we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies

in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments;

that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever,

we may be preserved in body and soul;

through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Lord God,

your Son left the riches of heaven

and became poor for our sake:

when we prosper save us from pride,

when we are needy save us from despair,

that we may trust in you alone;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Continuous:
Isaiah 1.1, 10-20

1The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 
10 Hear the word of the Lord,
   you rulers of Sodom!
Listen to the teaching of our God,
   you people of Gomorrah! 
11 What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?
   says the Lord;
I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams
   and the fat of fed beasts;
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
   or of lambs, or of goats. 

12 When you come to appear before me,
   who asked this from your hand?
   Trample my courts no more; 
13 bringing offerings is futile;
   incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation—
   I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. 
14 Your new moons and your appointed festivals
   my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me,
   I am weary of bearing them. 
15 When you stretch out your hands,
   I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
   I will not listen;
   your hands are full of blood. 
16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
   remove the evil of your doings
   from before my eyes;
cease to do evil, 
17   learn to do good;
seek justice,
   rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
   plead for the widow. 

18 Come now, let us argue it out,
   says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
   they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
   they shall become like wool. 
19 If you are willing and obedient,
   you shall eat the good of the land; 
20 but if you refuse and rebel,
   you shall be devoured by the sword;
   for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 50.1-8, 23-end

1  The Lord, the most mighty God, has spoken •
   and called the world from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2  Out of Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth; •
   our God comes and will not keep silence.
3  Consuming fire goes out before him •
   and a mighty tempest stirs about him.
4  He calls the heaven above, •
   and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5  ‘Gather to me my faithful, •
   who have sealed my covenant with sacrifice.’
6  Let the heavens declare his righteousness, •
   for God himself is judge.
7  Hear, O my people, and I will speak: •
   ‘I will testify against you, O Israel;
      for I am God, your God.
8  ‘I will not reprove you for your sacrifices, •
   for your burnt offerings are always before me.
23  ‘You that forget God, consider this well, •
   lest I tear you apart and there is none to deliver you.
24  ‘Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me •
   and to those who keep my way
      will I show the salvation of God.’

[or Psalm 50.1-7]

1  The Lord, the most mighty God, has spoken •
   and called the world from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2  Out of Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth; •
   our God comes and will not keep silence.
3  Consuming fire goes out before him •
   and a mighty tempest stirs about him.
4  He calls the heaven above, •
   and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5  ‘Gather to me my faithful, •
   who have sealed my covenant with sacrifice.’
6  Let the heavens declare his righteousness, •
   for God himself is judge.
7  Hear, O my people, and I will speak: •
   ‘I will testify against you, O Israel;
      for I am God, your God.

Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16

11Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2Indeed, by faithour ancestors received approval. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’

13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Related:
Genesis 15.1-6

15After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ 2But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ 3And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ 4But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ 5He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ 6And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 33.12-end

12  Happy the nation whose God is the Lord •
   and the people he has chosen for his own.
13  The Lord looks down from heaven •
   and beholds all the children of earth.
14  From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze •
   on all who dwell on the earth.
15  He fashions all the hearts of them •
   and understands all their works.
16  No king is saved by the might of his host; •
   no warrior delivered by his great strength.
17  A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; •
   for all its strength it cannot save.
18  Behold, the eye of the Lord
      is upon those who fear him, •
   on those who wait in hope for his steadfast love,
19  To deliver their soul from death •
   and to feed them in time of famine.
20  Our soul waits longingly for the Lord; •
   he is our help and our shield.
21  Indeed, our heart rejoices in him; •
   in his holy name have we put our trust.
22  Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, •
   as we have set our hope on you.

[or Psalm 33.12-21]

12  Happy the nation whose God is the Lord •
   and the people he has chosen for his own.
13  The Lord looks down from heaven •
   and beholds all the children of earth.
14  From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze •
   on all who dwell on the earth.
15  He fashions all the hearts of them •
   and understands all their works.
16  No king is saved by the might of his host; •
   no warrior delivered by his great strength.
17  A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; •
   for all its strength it cannot save.
18  Behold, the eye of the Lord
      is upon those who fear him, •
   on those who wait in hope for his steadfast love,
19  To deliver their soul from death •
   and to feed them in time of famine.
20  Our soul waits longingly for the Lord; •
   he is our help and our shield.
21  Indeed, our heart rejoices in him; •
   in his holy name have we put our trust.

Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16

11Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2Indeed, by faithour ancestors received approval. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’

13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Luke 12.32-40

32 ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

35 ‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

39 ‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Post Communion

Strengthen for service, Lord,

the hands that have taken holy things;

may the ears which have heard your word be deaf to clamour and dispute;

may the tongues which have sung your praise be free from deceit;

may the eyes which have seen the tokens of your love shine with the light of hope;

and may the bodies which have been fed with your body be refreshed with the fullness of your life;

glory to you for ever.