The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Everyone will hate you because of me.
But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved.”

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Shout For Joy (Psalm 100) – North Central University Worship Live

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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: Jeremiah 20:7-13 (CEV)

Jeremiah Complains to the Lord

You tricked me, Lord, and I was really fooled. You are stronger than I am, and you have defeated me. People never stop sneering
and insulting me. You have let me announce only destruction and death. Your message has brought me nothing but insults and trouble. Sometimes I tell myself not to think about you, Lord, or even mention your name. But your message burns in my heart and bones, and I cannot keep silent.

I heard the crowds whisper, “Everyone is afraid. Now’s our chance to accuse Jeremiah!” All of my so-called friends are just waiting for me to make a mistake. They say, “Maybe Jeremiah can be tricked. Then we can overpower him and get even at last.”

But you, Lord, are a mighty soldier, standing at my side. Those troublemakers will fall down and fail—terribly embarrassed, forever ashamed.

Lord All-Powerful, you test those who do right, and you know every heart and mind. I have told you my complaints, so let me watch you take revenge on my enemies. I sing praises to you, Lord. You rescue the oppressed from the wicked.
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Afraid – Tenth Avenue North

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 9:35-10:15 (CEV)

Warning about Trouble

I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves. Watch out for people who will take you to court and have you beaten in their meeting places. Because of me, you will be dragged before rulers and kings to tell them and the Gentiles about your faith. But when someone arrests you, don’t worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the words to say. But you will not really be the one speaking. The Spirit from your Father will tell you what to say.

Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. Everyone will hate you because of me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved. When people mistreat you in one town, hurry to another one. I promise you that before you have gone to all the towns of Israel, the Son of Man will come.

Disciples are not better than their teacher, and slaves are not better than their master. It is enough for disciples to be like their teacher and for slaves to be like their master. If people call the head of the family Satan, what will they say about the rest of the family?

The One To Fear

Don’t be afraid of anyone! Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you. Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Telling Others about Christ

If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don’t belong to me.
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God of Mercy and Compassion – by Giovanni Pergolosi (France) and I. D. Riverson (Ghana).

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Pastoral Prayer:

Almighty and everliving God: hear our prayers –

+ Grant that all who confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

+ Grant that we may hear and receive your holy Word, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.

+ Grant that our government may impartially administer justice, uphold integrity and truth, restrain wickedness and vice, and protect true religion and virtue.

+ Empower us to fulfill your great commission, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that you have commanded.

+ Comfort and sustain all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, especially those suffering the effects of the pandemic.

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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Giants Fall – Francesca Battistelli

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Closing – Romans 5:16,17 (CEV)

But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life. Adam disobeyed God and caused many others to be sinners. But Jesus obeyed him and will make many people acceptable to God.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen