Tag: USCCB Daily Readings

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost – 14 Oct – Mark 10:17-31 ~ no easy way in

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of wisdom, whose word probes the motives of our hearts, with you all things are possible. Let worldly treasure not keep us from Jesus, who looks on us with love. Free us to leave all things and follow him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Rejoice The Lord Is King” – the Generations Gospel Choir (Tommy Walker)

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Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-31 (NLT)

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

Gracious God, with you all things are possible: show us your mercy and help us in this our time of need. Lord, hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders – that they may exhibit strength and wisdom as they guide your people….
+ For all believers- that we may exhibit wisdom and sound judgement in our decision-making….
+ For new believers – that they may grow in understanding of your Word and Spirit….
+ For believers who have left everything to follow Jesus – that they may not give up….
+ For rich believers –  that we may share our resources with the needy, freely and joyfully….
+ For poor believers – that they may receive our gifts graciously and use them wisely….
+ For believers who are sick – that they may receive comfort and healing…
+ For believers who have died – that they may enter your Kingdom and experience its glory forever….

Gracious God, your favor shines out upon us, you give success to the work of our hands: help us according to our needs, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Kingdom Come” – Darlene Zschech

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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!

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost – 07 Oct – Mark 10:2-16 – God’s plan: one man, one woman, one marriage, one lifetime.

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in continual godliness; that through your protection we may be free from all adversities, and devotedly serve you in good works, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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“In All The Earth” (Psalm 8) – John Alexander Wilson, The Free Church of Scotland


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Gospel Reading: Mark 10:2-16 (NLT)

Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered them with a question: “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?”

“Well, he permitted it,” they replied. “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away.”

But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon all men and and women whom you made one flesh in marriage, and enable us to fulfill the vows we have made –

+ Grant us wisdom and devotion in the ordering of our common life, that we may be to each other a partner in prayer, a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy…. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

+ Grant that our wills may be so knit together in your will, and our spirits in your Spirit, that we may grow in love and devotion to you and with one another all the days of our lives…. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

+ Give us courage, when we hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge our faults, to seek your forgiveness, and to forgive and be reconciled to one another…. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

+ May our union in marriage be a sign of the love between Christ and his Church, and a joyful witness to the world…. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

+ Grant us, if it be your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you…. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

+ Grant that we may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that our homes may be a haven of blessing and peace…. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Eternal God, bless all men and and women whom you made one flesh in marriage, and enable us to fulfill the vows we have made through faith and trust in Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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“The Wedding Song ( There Is Love )” – Noel Paul Stookey

He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on his part
The union of your spirits here has caused him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in his name
There is love
There is love

Well a man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
They shall travel on to where the two shall be as one
As it was in the beginning, is now until the end
Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again
And there is love
There is love

Well then what’s to be reason for becoming man and wife
Is it love that brings you here, or love that brings you life
For if loving is the answer, then who’s the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you’ve never seen before?
Oh, there’s love
Oh there’s love

Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in his name
There is love
Ah there’s love
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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!

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – 30 Sep – Mark 9:38-48 ~ For or Against Us?

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Pour out your Spirit, O God, over all the world to inspire every heart with knowledge and love of you. Grant that we who confess Jesus as Lord may shun whatever is contrary to our faith and give witness to your love that has saved us in Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Voice Of The Skies (Psalm 19)” – The Shiyr Poets

The heavens declare the glory
The heavens declare the glory of
The heavens declare the glory of God

Day after day | Night after night
The voice of the skies proclaim
The art of your hands

Without a sound | Without a word
The voice of the skies goes out
To the edge of the world

For the sun a celestial pavilion
Like a couple just wed from their canopy come
The rising of the sun to warm the world

Then the sun completes its circuit
Like a champion running his course with delight
Nothing in the world escapes it’s heat

The law of the Lord is perfect
The law of the Lord revives the soul
The Lord’s commands are sure delighting the heart

The fear of the Lord is blameless
The fear of the Lord gives light to the eyes
The teachings of the Lord make the foolish wise

To be desired | Much more than gold
Sweeter than honey from the honeycomb
Your servant is warned | Of danger and woe
For all who keep your word there’s great reward

For who can discern their own heart
Cleanse me from these hidden faults of mine
Keep me your servant from willful sin
Let them not be master over me

Then I will be blameless
I will be innocent
I will be free from sin

May the words | Of my mouth
May every heartfelt thought be pleasing to you

O Lord My Rock | Redeemer of all
May the life I live be pleasing to you
May the life I live be pleasing to you

The heavens declare the glory
The heavens declare the glory of
The heavens declare the glory of God
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Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-48 (NLT)

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”

“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’
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Prayers of Intercession:

Sovereign God, ruler of heaven and earth: we approach your throne of grace to receive mercy and help in this our time of trouble. Lord, hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders — that they may serve humbly and speak truthfully to those in positions of power…
+ For people in positions of power — that they may use it wisely and fairly to further your Kingdom purposes…
+ For people in the media – that they might report the news truthfully without bias, slander or innuendo…
+ For people of faith – that we might discern truth from falsehood, and uphold the presumption of innocence…
+ For persecuted people of faith – that they may be delivered from evil with their reputations and positions restored…
+ For displaced people of faith – that they may be provided for and safely return to their homes and communities…
+ For people who are sick in body, mind and spirit – that they may be healed and delivered from all that ails them…
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may receive the reward of eternal life lived in your holy presence…

Sovereign God: Give wisdom to all who rely on you, and show us the mercy and grace we need each day, all to your glory – we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“I Am Not Alone” – Kari Jobe


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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!

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – 23 Sep – Mark 9:30-37 ~ on becoming the servant of all

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

O God, protector of the poor and defender of the just, in your kingdom the last become first, the gentle are strong, and the lowly exalted. Give us wisdom from above, that we may find in your Son Jesus the pattern of true servanthood and the grace to persevere in following him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Grateful” – Elevation Worship


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Gospel Reading: Mark 9:30-37 (NLT)

Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

God of power and might: in Christ Jesus, you emptied yourself of all your prerogatives and became the servant of all. Receive us into your presence through his saving grace, and hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders – that they may emulate his example as they serve their constituencies…
+ For all who follow Jesus – that we may learn to put the interests of others first…
+ For all who are persecuted – that they may be delivered from evil and find safe haven…
+ For all who are dispossessed – that they may receive the help needed for restoration…
+ For all who are weak and vulnerable – that they may be happily welcomed into your family…
+ For all who are seeking peace in conflict – that they may find a just and honorable way…
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may experience your perfect, eternal, peace…

God of power and might, you uphold our lives and keep us in your care, help us in these our needs, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 23” (I Am Not Alone) – People & Songs


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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!

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – 16 Sep – Mark 8:27-35 ~ “Who do you say I am?”

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Make us one, O God, in acknowledging your Son, Jesus Christ. As we proclaim him by our words, help us follow him in our works; give us strength to take up the cross and courage to lose our lives for his sake. 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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“Who You Say I Am” – Hillsong Worship


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Gospel Reading: 8:27-35 (NLT)

Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Lord Jesus, we look to You. You are the peace that surpasses all our understanding and we worship You.

+ Pour out your peace on those who suffer devastation from Hurricane Florence…
+ Pour out your peace on those who have evacuated and who now anxiously await the unknown…
+ Pour out your peace on those who make travel plans and guide them home safely…

Lord Jesus, You are Lord of the wind and the sea. We are in agreement: nothing surprises You and nothing overwhelms You.

+ Protect the innocent and be glorified in this recovery…
+ Raise up your people that we may participate in this recovery…
+ Give us the boldness to proclaim you, Jesus Messiah, Lord of all…

We pray this in Your holy and life-giving Name. Amen.
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“Psalm 116” (You Turned My Soul To Rest) – Robbie Seay Band

From my dying | From my shame
You heard my growning | You called my name
From the darkness | From the grave
O, I cried out to you | And you came to save me
O, you saved me

I will dwell in the shadow of your mercy
I will walk in the land of those who live
I’ll raise up the cup of your salvation
You turned my soul to rest
You turned my soul to rest

In your kindness | In your grace
By such mercy | You have saved me
For your glory | For your name
For your kingdom | You came to save me
O, you saved me

I will dwell in the shadow of your mercy
I will walk in the land of those who live
I’ll raise up the cup of your salvation
You turned my soul to rest
You turned my soul to rest

O, I love you Lord | For you alone
Can hear my cry | Can hear my cry
You hear my voice | And only you
Can give me life | You can give me life

O, I love you Lord | For you alone
Can hear my cry | Can hear my cry
You hear my voice | And only you
Can give me life | You can give me life

I will dwell in you
I will walk with you

I will dwell in the shadow of your mercy
I will walk in the land of those who live
I’ll raise up the cup of your salvation
You turned my soul to rest
You turned my soul to rest
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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!