29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 18 Oct 2020: Mal 3:6-12, Matt 22:15-22 ~ Return & give to God what belongs to God.

The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 18 Oct Sep 2020

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

Opening:

Set us free, loving Father, from the bondage of our sins, and in your goodness and mercy give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
(Matthew 22:21)

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” Psalm 96″ – Vertical Worship

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Malachi 3:6-12 (NLT)

A Call to Repentance

6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!

“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’

“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

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Return to Me – Michael Anthony Curtis

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 22:15-22 (NLT)

Taxes for Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.

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“Confession Song” – Crossroads Community Church

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Prayer:

+ For your Church

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Church around the world. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

+ For Trust in Times of Worry

Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For your Coming Kingdom

Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen

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“Yes I Will” – Vertical Worship

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Closing – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4-10 (NLT)

+ We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you…. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers….

+ And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about… how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

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

Sunday, 18 October: Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:42-45 ~ a servant’s life

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence and Prayer:

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
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O God, it is Your will that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Look upon Your abundant harvest and send workers to preach the gospel to every creature, so that Your people, gathered by the Word of life and supported by the power of the Holy Spirit, may advance in the way of faithfulness and love. 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: “Ye Servants of God” by Mount Ensemble Male Voice

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 53:10-11 (NLT)
[The suffering of the Lord can be seen beforehand in the words written by Isaiah.]

Crucifixion of Christ Paolo Veneziano (1340) National Museum in Krakow — Crucifixion of Christ
Paolo Veneziano (1340)
National Museum in Krakow

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 (NLT)

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
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But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.
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We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
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Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
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“Psalm 33” – Sung By The Monks Of Putna (600 Years Old Orthodox Christian Monastery in Romania)

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A Reading from the Letters: Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
[In Jesus we have a high priest who was tempted as we are. He will have mercy on us.]

A boy kneels to pray during the Christmas Eve mass at a Catholic church in Beijing on December 24, 2010.

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 10:42-45 (NLT)
[The true follower of Jesus is like the Master: a humble servant.]

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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Hymn: “Heart of a servant” Hati Hamba-City Harvest Church

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Intercessions:

The Lord is our help and our shield: let us approach His throne of grace with confidence –

+ For Christian communities around the world who worship in Spirit and Truth today – that they may make Christ present to the world…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who are suffering – that we may be sensitive to people struggling with heavy burdens…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the spirit of service among Christians — that we may support each other…. Lord, hear us.
+ For missionaries and the people among whom they work – that we may not forget to pray for them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the sick, the lonely, the elderly and the bereaved — that they may be comforted…. Lord, hear us.
+ For blessing on our faith communities – that Your Spirit may help us fill the world with Your love…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died, especially those martyred because of their Christian faith – that they may experience the fullness of life eternally with You…. Lord, hear us.

God, the creator of all, You fill the earth with Your love: we rejoice in Your faithfulness as we present these prayers to You, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Where You go I go” – Jesus Culture

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Benediction:

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

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

29th Ordinary Sunday: Isa 45:1,4-6; Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10; I Thes 1:1-5; Mt 22:15-21 ~ give God His due

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening prayer:

As we come to the source of life, may the life of Christ might be in us and in all of humankind.
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In Your wonderful providence, O God, You willed that the kingdom of Christ should extend throughout the earth and that all people should partake in His saving redemption; grant that Your church may show and tell the wonders of Your love for all. 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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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 45:1,4-6 (NLT)

This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again.
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“And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other.

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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
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Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
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Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens!
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O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts.
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Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.
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Psalm 96, “Chantez a Dieu, chanson nouvelle” (Sing to the Lord a New Song) by 16th century Dutch composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.

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A Reading from the Letters: I Thessalonians 1:1-5 (NLT)

This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace.

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 22:15-21 (NLT)

Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

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Intercessions:

God of glory and power – hear our prayer:

+ For church leaders everywhere – that they may lead with faith and courage…. Lord hear us.

+ For missionaries bringing help and hope to a broken world – that God’s Spirit may sustain them…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all believers – that we might have zeal to share the Good News of Jesus into our own neighborhoods…. Lord, hear us.

+ For leaders of nations and all those elected to serve us – that they may fight corruption and injustice…. Lord, hear us.

+ For tax collectors and all who work for the state – that they may respect the rights of all citizens…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who collect charitable donations and for all who contribute – that God may reward generous hearts…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who have died serving Christ in foreign lands – that they may receive their reward in heaven…. Lord, hear us.

God of glory and power, You will judge all peoples fairly – hear our prayers and graciously grant them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Benediction:

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

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