121 I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word.
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes.
125 I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for You to act, O LORD, For they have regarded Your law as void.
127 Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.
132 Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
136 Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law.
*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.
Deacon: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit.
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Matthew's Gospel chapter 13, beginning at verse 44.
44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.' 51 Jesus said to them, 'Have you understood all these things?' They said to Him, 'Yes, Lord.' 52 Then He said to them, 'Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.'
After the Gospel reading, the deacon can elevate the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.People: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.Prayers of the People
Prayers of the People for: Proper 12
Brothers and sisters, God the Holy Spirit is constantly interceding for us. Therefore, let us join in with Him for our needs and those of the whole world.
That the Church will be zealous in furthering the Kingdom of God.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Patriarch, Bishops, and all clergy will live lives holy and pleasing to the Lord.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That legislators will enact laws that are just for all their people, especially the poor and the marginalized.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That governments will recognize the image of God in every human life.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will recognize the temporal and spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters and respond to them with generous hearts.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we, like Solomon, will have the wisdom to discern between good and evil.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will be a thankful people, grateful for the privilege of being citizens of God's Kingdom through the saving work of Jesus.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Father, we know that You work all things together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to trust You in all the circumstances of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN
