The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17;
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17;
Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Opening Statement
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Opening Statement
Whether in loss, grief, or a mid-life crisis, we eventually discover that we cannot grasp or control life. It’s better, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 10, that we let go of life as we know it and embrace the life God gives. Romans 6 teaches a similarly breathtaking truth, that we are called to die and then rise with Christ. We are challenged to get started today on the eternal life Jesus trailblazes for us. The alternative, holding too tightly to our current lives, can warp us in harmful and selfish ways—like Sarah’s demand in Genesis 21 that Abraham expel his son Ishmael, along with his mother, Hagar, from their home. Thankfully, God rescues them, watching over us all as we stumble along in this journey toward grace.
Opening Prayer
(Matthew 10, Romans 6)
(Matthew 10, Romans 6)
Thank you, Loving Spirit, for the warmth of summer and for your invitation to embrace abundant life. Your promise of resurrection allows past troubles to die, as we rise with you to new life. Inspire us to follow your lead, even when it requires us to bear a cross of sacrifice in your name. May our love for you be complete, as we share words and acts of compassion with a world that yearns for your peace. Amen.
The Collect
(from the Book of Common Prayers)
(from the Book of Common Prayers)
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Call to Confession
(Genesis 21, Matthew 10, Romans 6)
(Genesis 21, Matthew 10, Romans 6)
Gracious and Loving God, lead us in ways that lead to life. Free us to love as completely as you love. Help us find our worth, not by lifting ourselves above others, but by accepting that we belong to you. May our fulfillment be found, not in what we hold onto, but in what we freely give in your name. Free us, dear God, to live without fear, following wherever your Spirit leads. In the spirit of Christ’s compassion, we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
(Genesis 21, Matthew 10)
(Genesis 21, Matthew 10)
The one who frees us from selfishness fills us with God’s selfless love. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:
Jeremiah 23:24
“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.God is never so busy managing the universe that He has no time for you. He can listen to your prayers even as He cares for everything else.
Today’s Lectionary Readings:
First Reading
First Reading
Genesis 21:8-21
The rescue of Hagar and Ishmael
The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”
The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.
When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob.
God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
The rescue of Hagar and Ishmael
The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”
The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.
When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob.
God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Prayer for deliverance
Inclina, Domine
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Prayer for deliverance
Inclina, Domine
Bow down your ear, O LORD, and answer me, *
for I am poor and in misery.
Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful; *
save your servant who puts his trust in you.
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for you are my God; *
I call upon you all the day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant, *
for to you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
For you, O LORD, are good and forgiving, *
and great is your love toward all who call upon you.
Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer, *
and attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the time of my trouble I will call upon you, *
for you will answer me.
Among the gods there is none like you, O LORD, *
nor anything like your works.
All the nations you have made will come and
worship you, O LORD, *
and glorify your Name.
For you are great;
you do wondrous things; *
and you alone are God.
Turn to me and have mercy upon me; *
give your strength to your servant;
and save the child of your handmaid.
Show me a sign of your favor,
so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; *
because you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Heavenly Father, we eagerly anticipate the coming celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May we so live as to show forth His love and grace to others in all that we say and do, that they might come to love Him as we do, even as we pray, Amen.
Second Reading
From the Epistles
From the Epistles
Romans 6:1b-11
Buried and raised with Christ in baptism
Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Buried and raised with Christ in baptism
Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Acclamation
(Mark 1:15)
Alleluia.
The kingdom of God has come near.
(Mark 1:15)
Alleluia.
The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!
Alleluia.
Alleluia.
Today’s Gospel Reading
Matthew 10:24-39
The cost of discipleship
“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
The cost of discipleship
“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
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.
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
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
(Romans 6)
(Romans 6)
We believe in a God of new beginnings! May the grace of Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit bring hope to our hearts and peace to God’s world. Amen.
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 25, 2023
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39
Whether in loss, grief, or a mid-life crisis, we eventually discover that we cannot grasp or control life. It’s better, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 10, that we let go of life as we know it and embrace the life God gives. Romans 6 teaches a similarly breathtaking truth, that we are called to die and then rise with Christ. We are challenged to get started today on the eternal life Jesus trailblazes for us. The alternative, holding too tightly to our current lives, can warp us in harmful and selfish ways—like Sarah’s demand in Genesis 21 that Abraham expel his son Ishmael, along with his mother, Hagar, from their home. Thankfully, God rescues them, watching over us all as we stumble along in this journey toward grace.
