Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Everyone who believes God’s word is called to pass on the Good News. Like many who have gone before us, including the prophet Isaiah and the apostles Peter and Paul, we may not feel up to the task, but God helps us every day.

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

Opening Prayer:

Most holy God, the earth is filled with your glory, and in your presence angels stand in awe. Enlarge our vision, that we may recognize your power at work in your Son and join the apostles and prophets as heralds of your saving word. We ask 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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Hymn: “All The Heavens” – Hillsong

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT)
[Isaiah sees the holiness of God and is called to be God’s messenger.]

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
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A Reading from Psalms: Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8 (NLT)

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.

Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord, for all of them will hear your words. Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways, for the glory of the Lord is very great.
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Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
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“Psalm 138” – The Psalm Project

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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 11 (NLT)
[Paul summarizes his message: he preaches the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.]

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.
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So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)
[Jesus calls fishermen to help him in his mission. Though they feel unworthy, like Isaiah, they follow him.]

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
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Hymn: “Be Not Afraid” – Cat Jahnke

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Intercessions:

God’s love is eternal, so with confidence we approach his throne of grace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

+ For all who recognize their unworthiness in your presence – that we may receive your forgiveness and cleansing…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who feel surrounded by troubles, pressed on all sides by their enemies – that we may receive your deliverance…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are called to proclaim your saving Word today — that we may not give up when faced with opposition…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who teach others about faith in Christ, especially parents and teachers — that we may share the Good News with gentleness…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are sick, and for our friends living in hospitals or nursing homes – that you may be close to them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have gone before us in faith, especially through war, violence or natural disaster – that they may sing your praises with the angelic host…. Lord, hear us.

Loving God, your faithfulness has no bounds, let your hand guide your people. We ask in faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Agnus Dei (Worthy is the Lamb)” – Michael W. Smith

Benediction:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

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