The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, August 6, 2023—Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers
Sunday, August 6, 2023
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
[Ordinary 18, Proper 13]
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)

Blessing in the Struggle
Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5;
Matthew 14:13-21

Feeding of the 5000

Opening Statement

Doubt, faith, and blessing weave today’s scriptures together. Jacob doubts he can cross Esau’s land without being attacked, so he sends his family and flocks ahead. When confronted by an angel, Jacob is not cowed by his lack of faith, demanding instead to be blessed. Paul has no doubt that God has called him to preach to the Gentiles, yet this does not annul the blessings God has bestowed upon Israel. And while Jesus’s disciples want to send the crowds away for food, Jesus knows that they themselves could bless the hungry followers with food if they had sufficient faith. Even in our doubts, blessings are to be had through the one from whom all blessings flow. An additional theme is seeing God face to face, as Jacob struggles with the angel. The psalmist is confident in seeing God’s face in righteousness.

Opening Prayer
(Genesis 32)

Even when our faith falters, we will not let you go, O God. Even though we are ashamed by our lack of faith, we will not let you go. Because you meet us in our utmost need, we will not let you go. Strive with us until dawn, O Lord, we will not let you go. We need your blessing now more than ever. we will not let you go. Amen.

Call to Confession
(Genesis 32, Matthew 14)

God of wonder and mystery, you struggle with us when our faith is weakest, yet you do not overcome us; you meet us in our weakness, yet you do not humble us with your strength. In dark nights of the soul, and when the needs of others seem too great, you always stand us back on our feet. When we face overwhelming odds and yearn to find an easy way out, you open new vistas of faithful living. Stay with us when we have need of you, O God, and bless us in our struggles, that we might be a blessing for others in need. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon
(Psalm 17, Matthew 14)

Christ’s grace is sufficient to meet every need. Rejoice and meet your God face to face, as you receive the bounty of God’s hand.

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:

Psalm 119:160

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

The truth of God’s Word applies to all men and women in every culture, in every age, in every walk of life. It is His supernatural manual that alone reveals His mind and ways so that humankind may know and experience His presence and eternal love.

The Bible is God’s written record of His works through the ages. It provides substantial evidence of His nature, plan, and purposes so that we can confidently place our faith in Him. Because we have His Word, we are not left to archaeological, historical, or theological guesswork. We can know how to live, make decisions, and worship the Lord, for “it is written” in His Word.

Scripture is divinely inspired. This means that He was involved in every detail that was recorded and written. It is God-breathed, and it is life’s final and ultimate authority.

Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Bible enlightens each individual to recognize personal sin, the need for salvation, and the best possible life course. Without the Bible informing and illumining us, we would be hopelessly unable to know and follow the true and living God.

The Bible is also profitable and nourishing. It provides us with an advantage in every department of life—family, business, and personal relationships. It is profitable because it reflects the wisdom of God, and when we abide by its teachings, we learn to live in His peace.

The Bible is the Book for everyone. It is revelation, inspiration, and communication of the Person and plan of the eternal, living, and powerful God.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
First Reading

Genesis 32:22-31
Jacob receives God’s blessing

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
I shall see your face
Exaudi, Domine

Hear my plea of innocence, O LORD;
    give heed to my cry; *
  listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.

Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *
  let your eyes be fixed on justice.

Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *
  melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.

I give no offense with my mouth as others do; *
  I have heeded the words of your lips.

My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *
  in your paths my feet shall not stumble.

I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *
  incline your ear to me and hear my words.

Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, *
  O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand
    from those who rise up against them.

But at my vindication I shall see your face; *
  when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding
    your likeness.

Lord our God, we thank you for establishing us on the firm foundation of your Word and your promise, your promise that expresses the great longing and hope in so many people's hearts. For they do not want their lives to remain base and petty but want to look toward something higher, rejoicing that the promise can be fulfilled for them. So today we too stand ready for the coming time you are bringing, and we exult in our expectation of the future. We rejoice in the expectation of the time when you will give your Spirit to us and to all those who answer your call and become your helpers. Amen.

Second Reading
From the Epistles

Romans 9:1-5
The glory of God’s people in Israel

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Today’s Gospel Reading

Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus feeds 5000

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

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
(Genesis 32)

We are blessed by the hand that leads us to a land

    flowing with milk and honey. *
  We go with God’s blessings.

We are blessed by the one who heals our wounds

    and makes us whole. *
  We go with the blessings of the one who meets us face to face.

Video - May the Lord Bless You and Keep You

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, August 6, 2023
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15;
Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
Doubt, faith, and blessing weave today’s scriptures together. Jacob doubts he can cross Esau’s land without being attacked, so he sends his family and flocks ahead. When confronted by an angel, Jacob is not cowed by his lack of faith, demanding instead to be blessed. Paul has no doubt that God has called him to preach to the Gentiles, yet this does not annul the blessings God has bestowed upon Israel. And while Jesus’s disciples want to send the crowds away for food, Jesus knows that they themselves could bless the hungry followers with food if they had sufficient faith. Even in our doubts, blessings are to be had through the one from whom all blessings flow. An additional theme is seeing God face to face, as Jacob struggles with the angel. The psalmist is confident in seeing God’s face in righteousness.