– Jerome, Translator and Teacher

O Lord, O God of truth, whose Word is a lantern to our feet and a light upon our path: We give you thanks for your servant Jerome, and those who, following in his steps, have labored to render the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people; and we pray that your Holy Spirit will overshadow us as we read the written Word, and that Christ, the living Word, will transform us according to your righteous will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Kings 13:1-10 – Philippians 1:12-30 – Mark 16:1-20

St. Michael and All Angels

Everlasting God, who have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
(Lutheran Book of Worship / Book of Common Prayer)

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Psalm 103 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Kings 13:1-10 – Philippians 1:1-11 - Mark 15:40-47

Father,
I find lessons of wisdom in Your creation.
Thank You, Lord, for the beautiful world You have created. When I find myself distracted and unsettled, help me to take in the wonders around me so I gain a new perspective. I will look at the leaves on the trees and marvel at the changing seasons. I will pluck a wild flower and praise You for the startling detail You place in everything You have created. The birds will remind me that I also have a song to sing. Thank You for the beauty and wisdom You have placed in the world. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you whose throne is in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured much contempt.
4 We have endured much ridicule from the proud,
much contempt from the arrogant.
Psalm 123 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Kings 13:1-10 – Philippians 1:1-11 - Mark 15:40-47

Father,
You are all I really need.
O Lord, there are so many things out there that promise success: books, speakers, and classes that promise me a successful outcome to my endeavors. Thank You for helping me to cut through the hype and take those things that help me to carry out Your vision for my life. And thank You for reminding me that all You ask is that I work hard and do my best for You. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. [c]
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever
Psalm 112 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Kings 12:1-20 – James 4:13-5:6 - Mark 15:22-32

Whatever we accomplish as a church we accomplish through Your help, Lord. The work is too much for any one of us alone; the world's needs are far too great any one person to even make a good start. We would give up, but You urge us on. You take the little that we can do and magnify it into something wondrous. Through Your blessings, together we become blessings for others, one faltering step at a time.
Whenever I am tempted to throw up my hands in defeat remind me that You are always with me, holding me up until the work is done. I am part of Your Body, and together we plant the seeds; You will send the rain and ensure the harvest. Amen.
(From "Prayers & Promises")

1 As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
3 Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”
4 My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!
5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again— my Savior and 6 my God!
Psalm 42 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Kings 11:26-43 – James 3:13-4:12 - Mark 15:12-21

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked God for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for - but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men, most richly blessed.
By: Henry Viscardi

1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Psalm 134 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Kings 9:24-10:13 – James 3:1-12 – Mark 15:1-11

Justus Falckner, First Lutheran Pastor Ordained in North America

Most gracious God, we thank you for your servant Justus Falckner and all other ministers who have accompanied Christians travelling to distant, desolate, or perilous places, seeking to minister to those they accompanied and to those they met, sharing their hardships in the name of him who humbled himself to share ours, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
9 Look upon our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalm 84 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Kings 8:65-9:9 – James 2:14-26 – Mark 14:66-72