The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, June 18, 2023—Third Sunday after Pentecost—Father's Day

 

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Father's Day
Genesis 18:1-15 [21:1-7]; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19;
Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35—10:8 [9-23]
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Opening Statement

The first event in this country honoring only fathers was held on July 5, 1908, due to a tragedy in West Virginia. A mine had exploded and killed 362 men the previous December. A church in a nearby town held a special service in memory of the men who had lost their lives. However, this was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday.

The following year, across the country in the state of Washington, another unfortunate situation was a catalyst for the pursuit of establishing an official day to honor fathers. Sonora Smart Dodd and her five siblings were raised by their father after their mother died in childbirth. Sonora thought fathers should be honored, just as mothers were.

On June 19, 1910, Father’s Day became an official celebration across the state of Washington. The holiday slowly began to spread to other states. However, 62 more years passed before President Nixon signed a proclamation to make it a permanent federal holiday.

During the 1920s and 1930s, a national movement arose to stop celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and to replace them with one celebration called Parents’ Day. People rallied yearly on Mother’s Day in support of Parents’ Day.

The celebration of Father’s Day may not resonate with everyone, but we should show appreciation to the fathers and father figures who have blessed our lives. Of course, no father/father figure is perfect, and neither are all fathers/father figures evil. If we think we are deprived of things when our relationships do not live up to expectations, we should present them to God in prayer. God is present with us in all situations. We should praise and thank God for those who bless our lives and pray for the transformation of those who do not.

Opening Prayer

Our relationships with our fathers are complicated.

For some of us, our father's love is like God's love—too deep, too long, too wide, and too strong to measure.

Some of our dads are here; some were never here.

For some of us, God's love fills in the empty spaces our fathers left behind.

All of us are shaped by the relationship or lack of relationship with our fathers.

On this day, when we remember what it means to have a father or be a father, we recognize the importance of fathers in our communities. We pledge to love and nurture the fathers among us so that they will manifest the love of God in all that they do.

Loving God, you who are our father and mother, we thank you for showing us how important it is to follow your example as we grow in faith. Teach us to be obedient to your will, respecting you as children ought. Thank you for your mercy despite our disobedience. Strengthen us to stand up against the challenges of this world, honoring Your name and trusting Your grace. In the Name of Your Son, we pray. Amen.

The Collect
(from the Book of Common Prayers)

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Call to Confession

Holy and eternal God, you created us in your image and gave us special responsibilities toward creation and our fellow human beings. You set us as caretakers for the earth and all its plants and animals. You anointed us as disciples and told us to make fellow disciples the world over. Dear God, as we look at our polluted earth, where we consume resources at an unsustainable rate, we know that we have failed to be good stewards. In many ways, we have failed to live as disciples ourselves, to say nothing of making disciples of all nations. We beg your mercy for our sins and await with expectancy the renewal of our minds and hearts, that we may devote the rest of our days to protecting the earth and making disciples of all nations in accordance to your will. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

This is the good news: Christ died for us that we might have life. We are called to give our lives to ministries of justice. God is with us in this and all righteous endeavors. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Parents must always be mindful to raise their children to love and respect the Lord (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21). As Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14).

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
First Reading

Genesis 18:1-15 [21:1-7]
The call of Abraham and Sarah

The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he said.

Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

[Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”]

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
Thanks for God’s bounty
Dilexi, quoniam

I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of
    my supplication, *
  because he has inclined his ear to me whenever
    I called upon him.

How shall I repay the LORD *
  for all the good things he has done for me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation *
  and call upon the Name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
  in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the LORD *
  is the death of his servants.

O LORD, I am your servant; *
  I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
    you have freed me from my bonds.

I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
  and call upon the Name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
  in the presence of all his people,

In the courts of the LORD’s house, *
  in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
    Hallelujah!

Heavenly Father, life, health, and daily strength come from You. Thank You for caring for our physical needs as well as our spiritual needs. Help us show our appreciation to You by what we say and do in Your presence, and in the presence of others. Help us remain faithful in troubling times, and hear our prayers in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Second Reading
From the Epistles

Romans 5:1-8
While we were sinners Christ died for us

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Gospel Acclamation
(Mark 1:15)

Alleluia.
The kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!
Alleluia.

Today’s Gospel Reading

Matthew 9:35—10:8 [9-23]
The sending of the twelve

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

[“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.]

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

• And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

• And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord's Prayer - Our Father Who Art in Heaven

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Communion

Holy Communion
A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present. This table is open to all who recognize Jesus Christ as healer and redeemer. This table is open to all who work to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. No one is turned away because of life circumstances. No one is barred from this table. No one seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy is turned aside. We see before us the abundance that a life of faith offers as we respond to God’s everlasting mercy in prayer and deed.

Benediction

The fields of peace and justice and love are not ripe unto harvest. They have been plowed and planted, but they have yet to be cultivated with care and diligence. Send us forth into those fields, O God, as laborers in your service. Let them be made ready for the harvest. Let us and our neighbors around the globe live in love and peace, with justice for all. Amen.

A Fathers Day Benediction

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets].

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, June 18, 2023
Father's Day
Genesis 18:1-15 [21:1-7]; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35—10:8 [9-23]
The first event in this country honoring only fathers was held on July 5, 1908, due to a tragedy in West Virginia. A mine had exploded and killed 362 men the previous December. A church in a nearby town held a special service in memory of the men who had lost their lives. However, this was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday..