+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences:
Come, O Lord, do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.
Show us, LORD, Your love, and grant us Your salvation.
Let Your beauty be upon us.
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 21:28-32 (NLT)
“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.
“Which of the two obeyed his father?”
They replied, “The first.”
Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.
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The Lord hears the Cry of the Poor
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Canticle
Teach me, dear Lord, to number my days; that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Oh, satisfy me early with Thy mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad all of my days.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon me; and establish Thou the work of my hands.
Blessing:
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences:
Show us, LORD, Your love, and grant us Your salvation.
Let Your beauty be upon us.
Lord, open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim Your praise.
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 21:23-27 (NLT)
“Jesus teaching in Temple” Marko’s Monastery in the Republic of Macedoinia ca. 1375
When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”
“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”
They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”
And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.
Canticle
Teach me, dear Lord, to number my days; that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Oh, satisfy me early with Thy mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad all of my days.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon me; and establish Thou the work of my hands.
Blessing:
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
Today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing.’ The reason for celebration is that the day of the Lord’s coming is nearer.
O God, most high and most near, You send glad tidings to the lowly, You do not hide Your face from the poor; those who dwell in darkness You call into the light.
Take away our blindness, remove the hardness of our hearts, and form us into a humble people, that, at the advent of Your Son, we may recognise Him in our midst and find joy in His saving presence.
We ask this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 61:1-2, 10-11 (NLT)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
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I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.
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Magnificat: Luke 1:46-55 (NLT)
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NLT)
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 1:6-8, 19-28 (NLT)
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
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This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
“No.”
“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”
Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”
John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
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Intercessions:
Generous God, who fills the starving with good things – hear our prayers:
+ For all the world – that the birth of the Redeemer may bring hope to people of good will…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who follow Christ – that they may have joy as they prepare for His coming…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people whose hearts are broken – that You, the source of joy, may bring them comfort…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the members of the healing professions who care for victims of violence or abuse – that they may show compassion and wisdom…. Lord, hear us.
+ For asylum-seekers, immigrants, homeless and hungry people – that they may learn of God’s care through our friendship…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people suffering because of the Ebola Vrus in West Africa – that the whole world may help them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died recently, especially John Newton – that they may rejoice in God eternally…. Lord, hear us.
God of generous love, Your mercy continues to embrace the world: hear the prayers of Your people, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences:
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Let the beauty of the Lord be upon us.
Lord, open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 17:9-13 (NLT)
And as they were coming down the mountain [of transfiguration], Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Canticle
Teach me, dear Lord, to number my days; that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Oh, satisfy me early with Thy mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad all of my days.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon me; and establish Thou the work of my hands.
Blessing:
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences:
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
Let the beauty of the Lord be upon us.
Lord, open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 1:39-47 (NLT)
A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Canticle
Teach me, dear Lord, to number my days; that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Oh, satisfy me early with Thy mercy, that I may rejoice and be glad all of my days.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon me; and establish Thou the work of my hands.
Blessing:
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 