Sixteenth 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 accord-ing to their needs.

We confess to you our duplicity, Father. We have been just like Joseph’s brothers — toward you and our neighbors, even some of our closest neighbors, members of this congregation. Yet, we know that you are able to turn the designs of wickedness into the fullness of good. So, we dare to ask that you grant to your people the grace of Joseph — that we may fearlessly extend mercy to those who have wronged us. Then, being delivered from the desire for vengeance, may we trust in your provision, and rest in the saving power of your providence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We bless you, Lord, from our very souls for all your benefits. Chiefly, we bless and thank you for redeeming us from eternal destruction and forgiving all our iniquities. Therefore, resting in your favor, may we be renewed in strength like the eagle, and praise you who have shown yourself to be merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Christ Jesus, we confess that you are returning to judge both the living and the dead, and that we will each appear before your seat of judgment. So, we humbly ask that you help us fear and love you in such a manner that we do not betray, slan-der, lie, or gossip about our neighbors, but defend them, speak well of them, and charitably interpret all their actions. To this end, we ask for the courage to live with one another in your bond of peace, being content to live and die well in you alone. We ask this especially for those who are mourning and suffering among us in home or hospital. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy Spirit, who reminds of the boundless pity of a Lord who has released us from an unpayable debt, and canceled the bond of our countless transgressions, grant, that we too may never harden our hearts against our fellow servants, but cheerfully extend that same boundless mercy which we ourselves have received from you, that being delivered from the prison of an unforgiving spirit, we may be liberated to love our neighbor from the heart of Christ within us. 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 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost:Job 11:1–9,13–20;  Revelation 5:1–14; and Matthew 5:1–12.  These readings are also found on page 817 in For All the Saints, volume IV. Note this new page that offers a fuller text of readings that correspond to the Daily Lectionary.