Sunday: 23 August – Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18; Psalm 34:2-3, 16-21; Ephesians 5:2, 21-32; John 6:60-69 ~ Lord, to whom would we go?

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and Prayer:

We gather as people who have chosen to serve the Lord and walk in faith. We worship God who leads us on — and ask for strength to continue as we have begun.
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In every age, O God, You give Your people freedom to walk in faith or to turn away. Grant us grace to remain faithful to Your Holy One, whose words are spirit and life, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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Hymn: Jesus shall reign

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A Reading from the Old Testament:Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18 (NLT)
[Given a choice by Joshua, the people of Israel decide to serve the Lord, thus renewing the covenant.]

Then Joshua summoned all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, including their elders, leaders, judges, and officers. So they came and presented themselves to God.

Joshua said to the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors… lived beyond the Euphrates River, and they worshiped other gods.
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But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. For the Lord our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us. It was the Lord who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-3, 16-21 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
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But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!

Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
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Let Us Exalt His Name Together

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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 5:2, 21-32(NLT)
[St Paul uses images from the husband-wife relationship to represent Christ’s love for the Church.]

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
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And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:60-69 (NLT)
[After hearing Jesus describe himself as the bread of life, some of the disciples stopped following him. But Peter spoke for the loyalty of those who remained.]

Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
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All I Have Is Christ

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ / Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

I once was lost in darkest night / Yet thought I knew the way / The sin that promised joy and life / Had led me to the grave / I had no hope that You would own / A rebel to Your will / And if You had not loved me first / I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race / Indifferent to the cost / You looked upon my helpless state / And led me to the cross / And I beheld God’s love displayed / You suffered in my place / You bore the wrath reserved for me / Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ / Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone / And live so all might see / The strength to follow Your commands / Could never come from me / Oh Father, use my ransomed life / In any way You choose / And let my song forever be / My only boast is You
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Intercessions:

Sisters and brothers, the Lord is close to the broken-hearted, so let us pray for His assistance in our time of need.

+ For the gift of faith – that we may accept and apply what Christ has taught us…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the gift of perseverance – that those who have difficulty believing may discover truth in Jesus Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the gift of true love – that all married people may be as close to each other as Christ is to the Church…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the gift of wisdom – that students and teachers returning to school at this time of year may have the strength they need to glorify God in all things…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the gift of eternal life for those who have died in Christ – that the message of eternal life may be fulfilled for them…. Lord, hear us.

Lord our God, You save those whose spirits are crushed: hear our prayers and give us the gifts we need to persevere in faith, hope and love through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: Be Thou My Vision

Benediction:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

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

Sunday: 16 August – Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34:2-7; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 ~ all are welcome

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and Prayer:

Whoever eats the flesh of the Lord and drinks His blood will live for ever. We rejoice in Jesus’ promise, believing we will share the eternal destiny of all who have His life in them.
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Wise and gracious God, You spread a table before us and nourish Your people with the word of life and the bread from heaven. In our sharing of these holy gifts, show us our unity in You and give us a taste of the life to come. 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: All are welcome

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Proverbs 9:1-6 (NLT)
[Wisdom is depicted in female form, inviting the foolish to be fed from her table and thus become wise.]

Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.

She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-7 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
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Let Us Exalt His Name Together – CFC Doha Qatar

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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT)
[Paul tells Christians to give good example and to bless God for everything.]

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:51-58 (NLT)
[Jesus is the Bread of Life: whoever eats this bread will live for ever.]

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
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Intercessions:

Those who revere the Lord lack nothing, so we bring our prayers to God with confidence.

+ For all who gather around the Lord’s Table this weekend – that we may grow in appreciation of the Bread of Life we share…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who feel unworthy to receive Holy Communion – that they may never feel deprived of the support and friendship of God’s people…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people outside the Christian family – that the good lives of believers may bring them to Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who sing the glory of God on earth: congregations, cantors and choirs – that we may one day join in the beautiful music of heaven…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters who have died – that having eaten the Bread of Life, they may live forever…. Lord, hear us.

Lord our God, those who seek You lack no blessing: hear these prayers we offer in faith, and continue to help us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: Go Into the World

Benediction:

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5b-6)

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

Sunday: 09 August – 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:2-9; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51 ~ I will raise you up

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and Prayer:

We gather together as friends, called by the Lord to forgive each other as quickly as God forgives us.
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God, our Father and provider, whose Son has given His flesh for the life of the world, sustain Your pilgrim people on our journey with the word of life and the bread of heaven. Draw us nearer to Him in whose name we gather, that, following His way of sacrificial love, we may come to the banquet of eternal life. 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.
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Hymn

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A Reading from the Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (NLT)
[Elijah was at the point of despair when God sent him food and drink to nourish him on his journey.]

Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-9 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 4:30-5:2 (NLT)
[Paul challenges Christians to imitate Christ in the way they treat each other.]

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:41-51 (NLT)
[Jesus is the true bread come down from heaven, promising the fullness of life.]

Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
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Intercessions:

Merciful God: we bring our needs to Your throne of grace – knowing that when we call, You answer us.

+ For all who gather at the Lord’s Table this weekend – that sharing the bread from heaven, we may have fullness of life…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who are sick or infirmed – that the bread from heaven may nourish them, bringing health and wholeness…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those children and teachers who are preparing to return to school at this time of year – that they may find joy in their studies and work, sustained by a solid faith…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who experience despair, to the point of giving up – that You may send an angel to sustain them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters who have died in Christ – that having eaten the Bread of Life, they may live forever…. Lord, hear us.

We bless You, O Lord, at all times: from all our terrors You set us free. Hear our prayers and continue to sustain and support us, we ask, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction:

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

Sunday: 02 August – Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78:3-4, 23-25, 54; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35 ~ the bread of life

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and Prayer:

From the days when the Jewish people wandered in the desert to this very day, God has been food to the hungry and meaning to those who lose their way. Today we rejoice in our Lord’s loving-kindness.
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Gracious Lord, giver of everlasting life, satisfy our hunger through Christ, the bread of life, and quench our thirst with Your gift of faith, that we may no longer work for food that perishes, but believe in the One whom You have sent. 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

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 (NLT)
[On their way to the Promised Land, the Jews wondered whether the Lord had abandoned them. But God heard, and fed them with quails in the evening and manna every morning.]

The Miracle of Manna Jacopo Tintoretto (c. 1577) Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice — The Miracle of Manna
Jacopo Tintoretto (c. 1577)
Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice

There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.

“If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.
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“I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was.

And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat.”

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 78:3-4, 23-25, 54 (NLT)

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past — stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.
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He commanded the skies to open; he opened the doors of heaven. He rained down manna for them to eat; he gave them bread from heaven. They ate the food of angels! God gave them all they could hold.
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He brought them to the border of his holy land, to this land of hills he had won for them.
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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 (NLT)
[Paul tells the people of Ephesus to put aside their old ways and live a new life.]

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.
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But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:24-35 (NLT)
[Jesus urges those he fed to reflect on their hunger and to work for food that will last for ever: the Bread of Life.]

So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
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Bread of the Angels is made bread for mankind; Gifted bread of Heaven of all imaginings the end; Oh, thing miraculous! This body of God will nourish the poor, the servile, and the humble.

Thee Triune God, we beseech; Do us Thou visit, just as Thee we worship. By Thy ways, lead us where we are heading, to the light Thou dwellest in. Amen.
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Intercessions:

Faithful God: You always provide for us in our needs. Hear us now:

+ For all who walk in the way of Christ - that You may sustain our faith and hope…. Lord, hear us.
+ For women and men who search for meaning and purpose in their lives – that they may find their answers in Jesus…. Lord, hear us.
+ For nomads and travelers, and all who wander like the Jews in the desert – that You may provide for their needs and support them in dangerous moments…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who live in hunger – that You may send them food, through our generous hands…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those whose Christian journey is over – that eternal life may be theirs…. Lord, hear us.

O God, You have never failed to nourish Your people in their needs: hear our cries and grant our prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn:

There is no greater truth than this / There is no stronger love we know / God Himself comes down to live / And make a sinner’s heart his throne

There is no deeper peace than this / No other kindness can compare / He clothes us in His righteousness / Forever free, forever heirs

Oh praise the only One / Who shines brighter than ten thousand suns / Death and hell call Him victorious / Praise Him / Oh praise the One true King / Lift it loud till earth and heaven ring / Every crown we lay down at His feet / Praise Him

There is no sweeter joy than this / There is no stronger hope we hold / We are His forever more / Safe, secure by Christ alone

There is no sound that’s like the song / That rises up from grateful saints / We once were lost but now we’re found / One with Him, we bear His name

Benediction:

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. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

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

Sunday: 26 July – 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15 ~ God has visited His people

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and Prayer:

United with Christians around the world, we acknowledge one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God as our Father. We worship as one family, and pray for greater charity and love among all believers.
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O God, You open wide Your hand, giving us food in due season. Out of Your never-failing abundance, satisfy the hungers of body and soul and lead all peoples of the earth to the feast of the world to come. 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: 2 Kings 4:42-44 (NLT)
[Elisha insists that the people be fed, and God multiplies the food so that all can share in it.]

“Elisha – The miracle of the loaves of barley”
Lambert Lombard – early 1500’s

One day a man from Baal-shalishah brought the man of God a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread made from the first grain of his harvest. Elisha said, “Give it to the people so they can eat.”

“What?” his servant exclaimed. “Feed a hundred people with only this?”

But Elisha repeated, “Give it to the people so they can eat, for this is what the Lord says: Everyone will eat, and there will even be some left over!” And when they gave it to the people, there was plenty for all and some left over, just as the Lord had promised.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18 (NLT)

All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
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The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 4:1-6 (NLT)
[Paul writes from prison, calling Christians to greater unity and charity.]

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:1-15 (NLT)
[Between now and the end of August, the Gospel each weekend will be from Chapter Six of John’s Gospel, which presents Jesus as the Bread of Life. In today’s opening section, Jesus feeds the five thousand.]

“Miracle of the Bread and Fish”
Giovanni Lanfranco – 1620-1623

After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
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Intercessions:

God is aware of the needs of all people: let us present our concerns with confidence –

+ For all the followers of Jesus – that we may grow in unity and charity…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters who are hungry – that the generosity of Christians may ensure there is food for the starving…. Lord, hear us.
+ For farmers and bakers, and all who provide bread for the world – that they may be blessed by God, who feeds people through their work…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our communities of faith that gather to worship God – that we may treat each other with care and respect…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the faithful departed, especially those who have died violently at the hands of others – that eternal peace and light may be theirs…. Lord, hear us.

You open wide Your hand, O Lord, and grant our desires: hear the cries of Your people and be with us in our needs, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction:

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all…. If we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:5,7)

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

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