FOUNDERS SUNDAY

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Living, loving God, You crowned the faith of Peter and the tireless preaching of Paul with a share in Christ’s triumphant death. Renew our faith by the example of their lives and rekindle our zeal for proclaiming the gospel. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 12:1-11 (NLT)

About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration. Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.

So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
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I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
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In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
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Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 (NLT)

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me — the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
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But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 16:13-19 (NLT)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
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Intercessions:

Heavenly Father: You set us free from all our fears. Hear our prayers:

+ For church leaders throughout the world — that their lives may be marked by loving service and that they may always point people to Your Son Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone, the author and finisher of our faith….
Lord, hear us.

+ For those who feel unworthy of the name of Christian — that, remembering the failings of Peter and Paul, they may trust in God’s grace and mercy….
Lord, hear us.

+ For men and women who, like Paul, work as missionaries — that they may have his enthusiasm and persistence in spreading the Gospel….
Lord, hear us.

+ For fisherman and all those who, like Peter, work on the sea – that they may be preserved from every danger…..
Lord, hear us.

+ For those who, like Paul, find Christ late in their lives – that the enthusiasm of their conversion may last as long as they live….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all who are named Peter and Paul — that the inspiration of the saints may encourage them….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all our friends whose lives on earth are over – that having fought the good fight, they may receive the crown of righteousness….
Lord, hear us.

Almighty God, you called Peter and Paul to be our leaders in faith: hear the prayers we make on this their day of remembrance through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Faith of our fathers, living still, In spite of dungeon, fire and sword, O how our hearts beat high with joy, Whene’er we hear that glorious word! Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death!

Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; And blest would be their children’s fate, If they, like them should die for thee: Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death!

Faith of our fathers, we will love, Both friend and foe in all our strife, And preach thee, too, as love knows how, By kindly words and virtuous life. Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death!
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen