Tag: USCCB Daily Readings

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost – 18 Nov – Mark 13:14-23 ~ Watch out!

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Your creation, O God, runs its appointed course, as from the ends of the earth you gather a people you call your own. Confirm us in the strength of your abiding word. Steady our hearts in the time of trial, so that on the day of the Son of Man we may joyfully welcome his appearing. 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. Amen.
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“Creation Sings” – Stuart Townend

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Gospel Reading: Mark 13:14-23 (NLT)

“The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing where he should not be.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter. For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.

“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!
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Prayers of Intercession:

O Lord our God: Guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and protect us from the wiles and deceit of the evil one. We pray especially –

+ For all believers – that we may be ready when Christ comes in glory….
+ For all who fear death - that they may come to faith in Christ….
+ For all who are imprisoned – that they may trust in Christ’s remembrance…
+ For all who are endangered – that they may receive Christ’s protection…
+ For all who are suffering – that they may receive Christ’s loving-kindness…
+ For all who are mourning – that they may receive Christ’s consolation…
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may receive the joys of everlasting life…

O Lord our God: Keep us alert and strong, that we may stand firm to the end, through faith and trust in your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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“Psalm 16” (Fullness of Joy) – Shane & Shane

Preserve me, O God, for I find rest in You alone. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord I have no good apart from You.” All sons and daughters, brothers, sisters my delight, let’s sing together “no other gods shall satisfy.” God You satisfy.

In Your presence, there is fullness, of joy, of joy.

You give me counsel, my heart instructs me in the night. You are before me, because You’re for me, I’m alright. It’ll be alright. It’ll be alright.

In Your presence, there is fullness, of joy, of joy.
At your right hand, there are pleasures, forevermore, forevermore.

My heart is glad and my soul rejoice; my flesh it dwells secure. Because You put on flesh, lived a blameless life, my curse on the cross You bore. Then You ripped the doors off the City of Death, and the chains fell to the floor. Now the serpent’s crushed. It has been finished, and You reign forever more.

You are my portion, my cup and you make my lot secure. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, a beautiful inheritance.
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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost – 11 Nov – Mark 12:38-44 – On sacrificial giving

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God, our provider, you are the orphan’s hope and the widow’s bread. Strengthen our faith, that with simplicity of heart we may come to trust in you alone and hold back nothing in serving you. Grant 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. Amen.
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“All the Poor and Powerless” – All Sons & Daughters


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Gospel Reading: Mark 12:38-44 (NLT)

Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.”

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

Gracious God, you raise up those who are bowed down: hear our prayers for help and mercy for all who are troubled and weighed down –

+ For all Christian leaders, that their faith may be lived with integrity and sincerity….
+ For all Christians, that we may show kindness and generosity to the poor and needy…
+ For our President, that you may bless him, protect him, and give him wisdom and sound judgement…
+ For all government officials, that partisanship may be abandoned for the common good…
+ For all vulnerable people, that they may be protected and delivered from evil-doers…
+ For ourselves, that we may be open to understanding those who are different from us…
+ For all who have died in Christ, particularly those who have lost their lives through war or violence, that they may rest in eternal peace and joy…

Gracious God, you support us in times of joy and sorrow: help us today in all our needs, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“I lift Up My Hands” – Israel & New Breed


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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost – 04 Nov – Mark 12:28-34 ~ “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

O Lord our God, you are the one God and there is no other. Give us grace to hear and heed the great commandment of your kingdom, that we may love you with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. 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. Amen.
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“The Greatest Commands” – Exposure Youth Camp 2015

Alto: Love one another, for love is of God. He who loves is born of God; and knows God. He who does not love, does not know God. For God is love, God is love.

Bass: Love bears all things, Believes all things. Love hopes all things, Endures all things.

Tenor: God is love, God is love, God is love. God is love, God is love, God is love. God is love, God is love, God is love, God is love, God is love, God is love.

Soprano: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, all thy strength,all thy might. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, for God is love, God is love, God is love.
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Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28-34 (NLT)

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Almighty God, you are our Fortress, our Savior, our Ever-present Help in times of trouble. Hear our prayers –

+ For all who follow Christ – that love of God and neighbor may mark our lives….
+ For all church leaders – that they may show Christ’s courage and compassion….
+ For the peacemakers – that the language of love may prevail over the language of conflict….
+ For the Jewish people – that they may follow the path that Moses and the prophets set before them….
+ For all who grieve and mourn – that they may experience Christ’s comfort….
+ For all who suffer violence – that Christ may heal their broken bodies, minds, and hearts….
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may rest forever in the peace of Christ….

Almighty God, you are our Rock and our Strength, in you we take refuge: hear our prayers and give us the help we need, we ask you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 18” (Overcome) – James Block

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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost – 28 Oct – Mark 10:46-52 ~ your faith has made you well

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Have pity on us, God our Savior. Grant us grace and courage to cast off our sins and turn to you for healing and new life. Show us in Christ the sure path of salvation and strengthen us to follow him gladly. 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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“All My Hope” – Tauren Wells / Crowder

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Gospel Reading: Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)

Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
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Prayers of Intercession:

O Lord our God: Thank you for welcoming us into your presence through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Hear our prayers, Lord, and help us in our time of need –

+ for all who gather in your name throughout the world – that we may be one in Christ Jesus…
+ for all who are persecuted because of their faith – that we may be delivered from evil by Christ Jesus…
+ for all who are suffering – physically, emotionally, spiritually – that we may be healed by faith in Christ Jesus…
+ for all who cannot see – physically and spiritually – that our eyes may be opened by Christ Jesus…
+ for all who are young in faith – that we may become rooted in the grace and truth of Christ Jesus…
+ for all who have died in faith – that they may forever live peacefully in the presence of Christ Jesus…

O Lord our God: We rejoice in your loving-kindness as we present our needs to you. May those who plant the seeds of your Kingdom in weeping be restored with great shouts of joy at your Kingdom harvest, through Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.
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“Psalm 126” – Sojourn Music

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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost – 21 Oct – Mark 10:35-45 ~ the servant of all

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

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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“This I Believe” (The Creed) – Hillsong Kiev

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:35-45 (NLT)

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”

“What is your request?” he asked.

They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 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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Prayers of Intercession:

Gracious God: Hear the cries of our hearts as we come before you with our needs for help and mercy –

+ For church leaders around the world – humility and integrity …  Lord, hear us.
+ For missionaries in difficult situations – protection and wisdom … Lord, hear us.
+ For believers suffering persecution – deliverance and restoration … Lord, hear us.
+ For peacemakers around the world- justice and truth … Lord, hear us.
+ For the lonely or depressed – companionship and hope … Lord, hear us.
+ For churches around the world – an outpouring of your Spirit … Lord, hear us.
+ For every believer who has died – eternal peace and rest … Lord, hear us.

Gracious God, the creator of all, you fill the earth with your love: we rejoice in your faithfulness and trust in your mercy, as we present these prayers to you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Are Ye Able,” Said the Master(십자가를 질 수 있나) – The choir of London Church

“Are ye able,” said the Master, “to be crucified with me?” “Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered, “to the death we follow thee.”

Lord, make us able. Our spirits are thine. Remold them, make us, like thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.

Are ye able to remember, when a thief lifts up his eyes, that his pardoned soul is worthy of a place in paradise?

Are ye able when the shadows close around you with the sod, to believe that spirit triumphs, to commend your soul to God?

Are ye able? Still the Master whispers down eternity, and heroic spirits answer, now as then in Galilee.
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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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