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Sunday 15 December 2019 3rd Sunday of Advent Year A

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Collect

O Lord Jesus Christ,

who at your first coming sent your messenger

to prepare your way before you:

grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries

may likewise so prepare and make ready your way

by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,

that at your second coming to judge the world

we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;

for you are alive and reign with the Father

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. 

or

God for whom we watch and wait,

you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son:

give us courage to speak the truth,

to hunger for justice,

and to suffer for the cause of right,

with Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Isaiah 35.1-10

35The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
   the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly,
   and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
   the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
   the majesty of our God. 

3 Strengthen the weak hands,
   and make firm the feeble knees. 
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
   ‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
   He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
   He will come and save you.’ 

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
   and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
   and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
   and streams in the desert; 
7 the burning sand shall become a pool,
   and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
   the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 

8 A highway shall be there,
   and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
   but it shall be for God’s people;
   no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray. 
9 No lion shall be there,
   nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
   but the redeemed shall walk there. 
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
   and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
   they shall obtain joy and gladness,
   and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 146.4-10

4  Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help, •
   whose hope is in the Lord their God;
5  Who made heaven and earth,
      the sea and all that is in them; •
   who keeps his promise for ever;
6  Who gives justice to those that suffer wrong •
   and bread to those who hunger.
7  The Lord looses those that are bound; •
   the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
8  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; •
   the Lord loves the righteous;
9  The Lord watches over the stranger in the land;
      he upholds the orphan and widow; •
   but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
10  The Lord shall reign for ever, •
   your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
      Alleluia.

or Magnificat

Magnificat (The Song of Mary)

              

1            My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

                 my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  •

              he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

              

2            From this day all generations will call me blessed;  •

              the Almighty has done great things for me

                 and holy is his name.

              

3            He has mercy on those who fear him,  •

              from generation to generation.

              

4            He has shown strength with his arm  •

              and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

              

5            Casting down the mighty from their thrones  •

              and lifting up the lowly.

              

6            He has filled the hungry with good things  •

              and sent the rich away empty.

              

7            He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  •

              to remember his promise of mercy,

              

8            The promise made to our ancestors,  •

              to Abraham and his children for ever.         

              Luke 1.46-55

 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
James 5.7-10

7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Matthew 11.2-11

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someonedressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way before you.” 
11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

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

We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts;

kindle in us the fire of your Spirit

that when your Christ comes again

we may shine as lights before his face;

who is alive and reigns now and for ever.

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Sunday 8 December 2019 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A

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O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power

and come among us,

and with great might succour us;

that whereas, through our sins and wickedness

we are grievously hindered

in running the race that is set before us,

your bountiful grace and mercy

may speedily help and deliver us;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,

be honour and glory, now and for ever.

or

Almighty God,

purify our hearts and minds,

that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour

we may be ready to receive him,

who is our Lord and our God.

Readings
Isaiah 11.1-10

11A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
   and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
   the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
   the spirit of counsel and might,
   the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 
3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. 

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
   or decide by what his ears hear; 
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
   and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
   and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 
5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
   and faithfulness the belt around his loins. 

6 The wolf shall live with the lamb,
   the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
   and a little child shall lead them. 
7 The cow and the bear shall graze,
   their young shall lie down together;
   and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
   and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. 
9 They will not hurt or destroy
   on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
   as the waters cover the sea. 

10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19

1  Give the king your judgements, O God, •︎
   and your righteousness to the son of a king.
2  Then shall he judge your people righteously •︎
   and your poor with justice.
3  May the mountains bring forth peace, •︎
   and the little hills righteousness for the people.
4  May he defend the poor among the people, •︎
   deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
5  May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, •︎
   from one generation to another.
6  May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, •︎
   like the showers that water the earth.
7  In his time shall righteousness flourish, •︎
   and abundance of peace
      till the moon shall be no more.
18  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, •︎
   who alone does wonderful things.
19  And blessed be his glorious name for ever. •︎
   May all the earth be filled with his glory.
      Amen. Amen.

[or Psalm 72.1-7]

1  Give the king your judgements, O God, •
   and your righteousness to the son of a king.
2  Then shall he judge your people righteously •
   and your poor with justice.
3  May the mountains bring forth peace, •
   and the little hills righteousness for the people.
4  May he defend the poor among the people, •
   deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
5  May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, •
   from one generation to another.
6  May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, •
   like the showers that water the earth.
7  In his time shall righteousness flourish, •
   and abundance of peace
      till the moon shall be no more.

Romans 15.4-13

4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
   and sing praises to your name’; 
10and again he says,
‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’; 
11and again,
‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
   and let all the peoples praise him’; 
12and again Isaiah says,
‘The root of Jesse shall come,
   the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.’ 
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Matthew 3.1-12

3In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 3This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.” ’ 
4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 ‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

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

Father in heaven,

who sent your Son to redeem the world

and will send him again to be our judge:

give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming

that, when he comes again,

we may be ready to greet him

with joyful love and firm faith;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 1 December 2019 1st Sunday of Advent Year A

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Collect

Almighty God,

give us grace to cast away the works of darkness

and to put on the armour of light,

now in the time of this mortal life,

in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;

that on the last day,

when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead,

we may rise to the life immortal;

through him who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Almighty God,

as your kingdom dawns,

turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness,

that we may be ready to meet you

in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Readings

Isaiah 2.1-5

2

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2 In days to come

   the mountain of the Lord’s house

shall be established as the highest of the mountains,

   and shall be raised above the hills;

all the nations shall stream to it.

3   Many peoples shall come and say,

‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

   to the house of the God of Jacob;

that he may teach us his ways

   and that we may walk in his paths.’

For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,

   and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4 He shall judge between the nations,

   and shall arbitrate for many peoples;

they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,

   and their spears into pruning-hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

   neither shall they learn war any more.

5 O house of Jacob,

   come, let us walk

   in the light of the Lord!

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 122

1  I was glad when they said to me, •

   ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’

2  And now our feet are standing •

   within your gates, O Jerusalem;

3  Jerusalem, built as a city •

   that is at unity in itself.

4  Thither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, •

   as is decreed for Israel,

      to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

5  For there are set the thrones of judgement, •

   the thrones of the house of David.

6  O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: •

   ‘May they prosper who love you.

7  ‘Peace be within your walls •

   and tranquillity within your palaces.’

8  For my kindred and companions’ sake, •

   I will pray that peace be with you.

9  For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, •

   I will seek to do you good.

Romans 13.11-end

11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; 13let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

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

All Glory to you, O Lord.

Matthew 24.36-44

36 ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All praise to you, O Christ.

The Lord prayer

Our father who art in heaven,

hallow be your name,

your kingdom come,

Your will be done as it is in heaven on earth amen

Ave Maria

Hail Mary full of Grace the Lord is with thee,

Bless is thy womb Jesus

holy Mary mother of Lord

Pray for us sinners at the hour of our death. Amen

Post Communion

O Lord our God,

make us watchful and keep us faithful

as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;

that, when he shall appear,

he may not find us sleeping in sin

but active in his service

and joyful in his praise;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Sunday 24 November 2019 Sunday next before Advent Christ the King / Year C

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Eternal Father,

whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven

that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:

keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit

and in the bond of peace,

and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

God the Father,

help us to hear the call of Christ the King

and to follow in his service,

whose kingdom has no end;

for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, one glory.

Readings

Jeremiah 23.1-6

23

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. 3Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.

5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

This is the word of the Lord.

AllThanks be to God.

Psalm 46

1  God is our refuge and strength, •

   a very present help in trouble;

2  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, •

   and though the mountains tremble in the heart of the sea;

3  Though the waters rage and swell, •

   and though the mountains quake at the towering seas.

4  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, •

   the holy place of the dwelling of the Most High.

5  God is in the midst of her;

      therefore shall she not be removed; •

   God shall help her at the break of day.

6  The nations are in uproar and the kingdoms are shaken, •

   but God utters his voice and the earth shall melt away.

7  The Lord of hosts is with us; •

   the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

8  Come and behold the works of the Lord, •

   what destruction he has wrought upon the earth.

9  He makes wars to cease in all the world; •

   he shatters the bow and snaps the spear

      and burns the chariots in the fire.

10  ‘Be still, and know that I am God; •

   I will be exalted among the nations;

      I will be exalted in the earth.’

11  The Lord of hosts is with us; •

   the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Colossians 1.11-20

11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

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 23.33-43

33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[ 34Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ 38There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 40But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

AllPraise to you, O Christ.

Post Communion

Stir up, O Lord,

the wills of your faithful people;

that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,

may by you be plenteously rewarded;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This Post Communion may be used as the Collect at Morning and Evening Prayer during this week

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Sunday 17 November 2019 2nd Sunday before Advent / Year C

by

Heavenly Father,

whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil

and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:

grant that we, having this hope,

may purify ourselves even as he is pure;

that when he shall appear in power and great glory

we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;

where he is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

Heavenly Lord,

you long for the world’s salvation:

stir us from apathy,

restrain us from excess

and revive in us new hope

that all creation will one day be healed

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Malachi 4.1-2a

4See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 98

1  Sing to the Lord a new song, •
   for he has done marvellous things.
2  His own right hand and his holy arm •
   have won for him the victory.
3  The Lord has made known his salvation; •
   his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4  He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness
      towards the house of Israel, •
   and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
5  Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; •
   break into singing and make music.
6  Make music to the Lord with the lyre, •
   with the lyre and the voice of melody.
7  With trumpets and the sound of the horn •
   sound praises before the Lord, the King.
8  Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, •
   the world and all that dwell upon it.
9  Let the rivers clap their hands •
   and let the hills ring out together before the Lord,
      for he comes to judge the earth.
10  In righteousness shall he judge the world •
   and the peoples with equity.

2 Thessalonians 3.6-13

6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

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 21.5-19

5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’

7 They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’8And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.

9 ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ 10Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

12 ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance;15for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your souls.

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

Gracious Lord,

in this holy sacrament

you give substance to our hope:

bring us at the last

to that fullness of life for which we long;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Leave a comment

Sunday 10 November 2019 3rd Sunday before Advent Remembrance Sunday / Year C

by

Almighty Father,

whose will is to restore all things

in your beloved Son, the King of all:

govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,

and bring the families of the nations,

divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,

to be subject to his just and gentle rule;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

God, our refuge and strength,

bring near the day when wars shall cease

and poverty and pain shall end,

that earth may know the peace of heaven

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Job 19.23-27a

23 ‘O that my words were written down!
   O that they were inscribed in a book! 
24 O that with an iron pen and with lead
   they were engraved on a rock for ever! 
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
   and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; 
26 and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
   then in my flesh I shall see God, 
27 whom I shall see on my side,
   and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
   My heart faints within me!

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 17.1-9

1  Hear my just cause, O Lord; consider my complaint; •
   listen to my prayer, which comes not from lying lips.
2  Let my vindication come forth from your presence; •
   let your eyes behold what is right.
3  Weigh my heart, examine me by night, •
   refine me, and you will find no impurity in me.
4  My mouth does not trespass for earthly rewards; •
   I have heeded the words of your lips.
5  My footsteps hold fast in the ways of your commandments; •
   my feet have not stumbled in your paths.
6  I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; •
   incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.
7  Show me your marvellous loving-kindness, •
   O Saviour of those who take refuge at your right hand
      from those who rise up against them.
8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; •
   hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9  From the wicked who assault me, •
   from my enemies who surround me to take away my life.

[or Psalm 17.1-8]

1  Hear my just cause, O Lord; consider my complaint; •
   listen to my prayer, which comes not from lying lips.
2  Let my vindication come forth from your presence; •
   let your eyes behold what is right.
3  Weigh my heart, examine me by night, •
   refine me, and you will find no impurity in me.
4  My mouth does not trespass for earthly rewards; •
   I have heeded the words of your lips.
5  My footsteps hold fast in the ways of your commandments; •
   my feet have not stumbled in your paths.
6  I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; •
   incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.
7  Show me your marvellous loving-kindness, •
   O Saviour of those who take refuge at your right hand
      from those who rise up against them.
8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; •
   hide me under the shadow of your wings,

2 Thessalonians 2.1-5, 13-end

2As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters,2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?

13 But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

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 20.27-38

27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28and asked him a question, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the manshall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.29Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30then the second 31and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32Finally the woman also died. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.’

34 Jesus said to them, ‘Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36Indeed they cannot die any more, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.’

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

God of peace,

whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom

and restored the broken to wholeness of life:

look with compassion on the anguish of the world,

and by your healing power

make whole both people and nations;

through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Leave a comment

Sunday 10 November 2019 3rd Sunday before Advent Remembrance Sunday / Year C

by

Almighty Father,

whose will is to restore all things

in your beloved Son, the King of all:

govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,

and bring the families of the nations,

divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,

to be subject to his just and gentle rule;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

or

God, our refuge and strength,

bring near the day when wars shall cease

and poverty and pain shall end,

that earth may know the peace of heaven

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings
Job 19.23-27a

23 ‘O that my words were written down!
   O that they were inscribed in a book! 
24 O that with an iron pen and with lead
   they were engraved on a rock for ever! 
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
   and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; 
26 and after my skin has been thus destroyed,
   then in my flesh I shall see God, 
27 whom I shall see on my side,
   and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
   My heart faints within me!

This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Psalm 17.1-9

1  Hear my just cause, O Lord; consider my complaint; •
   listen to my prayer, which comes not from lying lips.
2  Let my vindication come forth from your presence; •
   let your eyes behold what is right.
3  Weigh my heart, examine me by night, •
   refine me, and you will find no impurity in me.
4  My mouth does not trespass for earthly rewards; •
   I have heeded the words of your lips.
5  My footsteps hold fast in the ways of your commandments; •
   my feet have not stumbled in your paths.
6  I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; •
   incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.
7  Show me your marvellous loving-kindness, •
   O Saviour of those who take refuge at your right hand
      from those who rise up against them.
8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; •
   hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9  From the wicked who assault me, •
   from my enemies who surround me to take away my life.

[or Psalm 17.1-8]

1  Hear my just cause, O Lord; consider my complaint; •
   listen to my prayer, which comes not from lying lips.
2  Let my vindication come forth from your presence; •
   let your eyes behold what is right.
3  Weigh my heart, examine me by night, •
   refine me, and you will find no impurity in me.
4  My mouth does not trespass for earthly rewards; •
   I have heeded the words of your lips.
5  My footsteps hold fast in the ways of your commandments; •
   my feet have not stumbled in your paths.
6  I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; •
   incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.
7  Show me your marvellous loving-kindness, •
   O Saviour of those who take refuge at your right hand
      from those who rise up against them.
8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; •
   hide me under the shadow of your wings,

2 Thessalonians 2.1-5, 13-end

2As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters,2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?

13 But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

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 20.27-38

27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28and asked him a question, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the manshall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.29Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30then the second 31and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32Finally the woman also died. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.’

34 Jesus said to them, ‘Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36Indeed they cannot die any more, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.’

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

God of peace,

whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom

and restored the broken to wholeness of life:

look with compassion on the anguish of the world,

and by your healing power

make whole both people and nations;

through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.