+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence: I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 113:1-8 (NLT)
Praise the Lord! Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever. Everywhere — from east to west — praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people!
Reading Psalm 113 to the people of the Garbage Dump in Managua.
A Reading from the Prophet Amos: Amos 8:7 (NLT)
Now the Lord has sworn this oath by his own name, the Pride of Israel: “I will never forget the wicked things you have done!”
A Reading from Paul’s Letter to Timothy: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NLT)
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity — the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating — just telling the truth.
A Reading from the Gospel of Luke: Luke 16:10-13 (NLT)
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Intercessions: God, who heeds the cry of the poor… hear our prayers today. We pray…
- For the ministry of service to people who are poor, homeless, hungry or in any other need…
- For those who govern with honesty and justice, and for citizens… immigrants… and refugees…
- For all who are victims of injustice… and those impoverished by war and neglect…
- For all of us to put God, not wealth and possessions, at the center of our lives…
- For all Americans serving our country…and for the loved ones who await their safe return…
- For those who are seriously ill, hospitalized, or homebound…
- For the ministry of healing with people who are broken in body… mind… or spirit…
- For the recently deceased, and for all who mourn their loss…
All-powerful and ever-living God, the world is your footstool. Make us always worthy of your trust. This we ask you through Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 