Introduction to the Word for Worship
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. . . . Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
-James 1:12, 18
James’ argument [in 1:12-28] runs like this. A steady persistence is necessary if we are to make headway to maturity and life. Amongst other ways in which we are to show ourselves durable, there is the maintenance of a heart of love to God (v. 12). But this very heart is itself a central foe of righteousness, because of its contagious sinfulness (vv. 13-15). About this we must see to it that we are in no doubt (v. 16). But there is a solution to our dilemma: from heaven we may expect absolutely every needed good thing, coming to us by divine gift (v. 17). And in particular there is one thing God has freely chosen to do for us: he has brought us to birth by his word with the intention that we should be specially his, and notably holy (v. 18).
-Alec Motyer
The Collect of the Day
O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
First Reading: James 1:17-27
Psalm 146 (posted below the Playlist)
Gospel Reading: Mark 7:31-37
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below on the Spotify Playlist to listen)
Psalm 146
1 Praise the Lord, O my soul; *
while I live I will praise the Lord.
2 Indeed, as long as I have my being, *
I will sing praises unto my God.
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man, *
for there is no help in them.
4 For when one breathes his last,
he shall return again to the earth, *
and in that day all his thoughts perish.
5 Blessed is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help *
and whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is therein; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
7 Who does right to those who suffer wrong; *
and who feeds the hungry.
8 The Lord sets prisoners free; *
the Lord gives sight to the blind.
9 The Lord helps those who have fallen; *
the Lord loves the righteous.
10 The Lord cares for the strangers in the land;
he defends the fatherless and widow; *
but the way of the ungodly he makes crooked.
11 The Lord shall be King for evermore, *
even your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Praise the Lord.
(from the New Coverdale Psalter as found in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer)