The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 02 Aug 2020

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

Opening:

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your grace that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we
may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Pay close attention! Come to me and live.”

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Love Divine – Worship Band Version | New Scottish Hymns Band

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Collect for Purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-3 (CEV)

If you are thirsty, come and drink water!
If you don’t have any money, come, eat what you want!
Drink wine and milk without paying a cent.

Why waste your money on what really isn’t food?
Why work hard for something hat doesn’t satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods.

Pay close attention! Come to me and live.
I will promise you the eternal love and loyalty that I promised David.

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 14:13-21 (CEV)

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

After Jesus heard about John, he crossed Lake Galilee to go to some place where he could be alone. But the crowds found out and followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd. He felt sorry for them and healed everyone who was sick.

That evening the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This place is like a desert, and it is already late. Let the crowds leave, so they can go to the villages and buy some food.”

Jesus replied, “They don’t have to leave. Why don’t you give them something to eat?”

But they said, “We have only five small loaves of bread and two fish.” Jesus asked his disciples to bring the food to him, and he told the crowd to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples, and they gave it to the people.

After everyone had eaten all they wanted, Jesus’ disciples picked up twelve large baskets of leftovers.

There were about five thousand men who ate, not counting the women and children.

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The Hand Of The Lord (Psalm 145) – WorshipNOW Modern Psalms

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A Prayer

Heavenly Father: you are kind and full of compassion; your love endures forever. Lord, hear our prayers –

+ For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of  God…. Lord, have mercy.

+ For all those who proclaim the Gospel at home and abroad; and for all who teach and disciple others….  Lord, have mercy.

+ For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith….  Lord, have mercy.

+ For our nation, for those in authority, and for all in public service, especially our President, Donald Trump….  Lord, have mercy.

+ For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, especially those affected by the pandemic….  Lord, have mercy.

Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Nothing Ever Could Separate Us – Citizen Way

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Closing – Romans 8:35, 37-39 (CEV)

Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?
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In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!

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