Introduction to the Word and Liturgy for Worship
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
-2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
We are then truly free when God orders our lives, that is, forms and creates us not as human beings—this he has already done—but as good people, which he is now doing by his grace, that we may indeed be new creatures in Christ Jesus. Accordingly the prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
-St. Augustine, Enchiridion 9.31
The Collect of the Day
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
First Reading: Job 38:1-18
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 (posted below the Playlist)
Gospel Reading: Mark 4:35-41
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below on the Spotify Playlist to listen)
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let those whom the Lord has redeemed give thanks, *
whom he has delivered from the hand of the enemy,
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west, *
from the north and from the south.
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, *
who carry out their business in great waters,
24 They behold the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the stormy wind arises, *
which lifts up the waves.
26 They are carried up to heaven and down again to the deep; *
their soul melts away because of the trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, *
and are at their wits’ end.
28 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, *
he delivers them out of their distress.
29 For he makes the storm to cease, *
so that the waves are still.
30 Then they are glad, because they are at rest, *
and so he brings them into the haven where they desire to be.
31 Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
32 That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the seat of the elders!
(from the New Coverdale Psalter as found in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer)