Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Order of Worship

Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more. 

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Almighty Father, our maker and redeemer, you rescued your chosen people from slavery and the house of bondage with a mighty hand. We ask you to pour out your enduring love and mercy upon those currently enslaved by sin. Let the word of your only begotten Son go forth so that their ears may be opened to hear, their eyes may be opened to see, and their hearts may be softened to trust in all your wonderful works. Save them from the bondage of sin, death, and the devil, so that they may love you and desire to be faithful to your commandments. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, we pray for all who find it difficult to rely on your goodness amidst life's ongoing trials and tribulations. Grant fortitude and power to those enduring natural disasters today—whether from earthquakes worldwide, western wildfires, or flooding in the north and south—as well as those facing conflict, persecution, and violence globally. In moments of difficulty, anchor your people like Mount Zion, steadfast in their faith in you and filled with earnest love for their neighbors. Encircle your people like surrounding mountains, O Lord, and bestow your peace upon everyone. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Eternal Father, we bring before you all the members and friends of St. Paul’s who are confined to their homes, nursing facilities, or rehabilitation centers, along with everyone enduring hardships of body, mind, or spirit. Strengthen your servants so that they may anchor their hope firmly in your steadfast love, confident that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor any powers, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate them from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant them ears to receive this reassurance and the patience to wait for the glory that will be revealed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Holy Father, we offer our deepest gratitude for the kingdom of heaven—that incomparable treasure which far surpasses any worldly wealth. Fill our spirits with such joy that we might gladly cast aside earthly possessions and count it as loss, desiring only the pearl of great price revealed in your Son, Jesus Christ. Make us diligent and faithful stewards of your sacred mysteries, ever increasing in wisdom as we proclaim the abundant riches of your gospel to a searching world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Teaching

Open or download this week's preview of the lessons. We send this to our homebound with a bulletin each week and thought you might like to have a copy as well. You may read it online or print it out. It includes prayers, brief teaching on each of the four lessons for Sunday, an overview, and an additional Word Search based on the Gospel Lesson. 

Vespers

The readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: Joshua 1:1–18; Acts 21:3–15; Mark 1:21–27. These readings are also found on page 294 in For All the Saints, volume IV. Note this new page that offers a fuller text of readings that correspond to the Daily Lectionary.