Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

We worship the God who always has a welcome for us.

Opening Prayer:

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. 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.
__________

Praises” – Josh Baldwin // Have It All

__________

A Reading from the Old Testament: Genesis 18:1-10 (NLT)
[Sarah is rewarded for her hospitality with the promise that she will soon have a child, a great blessing.]

The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.

“My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while. Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet. And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.”

“All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.”

So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.” Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it. When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees.

“Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked.

“She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied.

Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!”

Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent.
__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 15:2-5 (NLT)

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.

Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.

Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

Such people will stand firm forever.
__________

“Psalm 15” – Diocese of St. Benedict

__________

A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 1:24-28 (NLT)
[There is nothing lacking in Christ, who lives in you.]

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)
[Jesus is welcomed at the home of Martha and Mary. He calls his hostess from busyness to simplicity.]

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
__________

“Heaven Come” – Jenn Johnson // Have It All

__________

Intercessory Prayer:

God of truth and justice: hear our prayers and help us –

+ That Christians may welcome everyone in need of care…. Lord, hear us.
+ That hospitality may be a mark of believers…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all may find strength and comfort through prayer…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those on summer holidays may find rest and refreshment…. Lord, hear us.
+ That troubled people may have Christian friends to calm their fears…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the sick may be raised up by God’s power…. Lord, hear us.
+ That our loved ones who have died may dwell forever on God’s holy mountain…. Lord, hear us.

God of truth and justice, you cherish those who try to do what is right: hear our prayers and help us, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Glory To Glory” – William Matthews // Have It All

Benediction:

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

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