Mary, Martha and Lazarus Of Bethany


Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose Son blessed by his Presence the home of Lazarus and Mary and Martha in Bethany: grant that, like Martha, we may serve Christ faithfully in the person of our brothers and sisters; and that, like Mary, we may feed on his Word and grow in his love and grace; and that, like Lazarus, we may be brought forth from death to new life in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
   your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
   your judgments are like the great deep;
   man and beast you save, O LORD.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
   The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
   and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
   in your light do we see light.
10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
     and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Psalm 36 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 5:1-12 - Acts 17:1-15 - Mark 7:24-37

Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel and Henry Purcell


Almighty God, beautiful in majesty and majestic in holiness, who teaches us in Holy Scripture to sing your praises and who gave your musicians Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel and Henry Purcell grace to show forth your glory in their music: Be with all those who write or make music for your people, that we on earth may glimpse your beauty and know the inexhaustible riches of your new creation in Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
   for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD,
    or declare all his praise?
3 Blessed are they who observe justice,
   who do righteousness at all times!
4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people;
   help me when you save them,
5 that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
   that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
   that I may glory with your inheritance.
Psalm 106 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 4:1-12 - Acts 16:25-40 - Mark 7:1-23

Father God, we pray for all those affected by the recent terrorist attacks in Norway. We pray for the innocent people who were injured as well as the family and friends of all who were killed. The whole nation suffers with them, Lord; the whole world. We ask that you will be with the emergency workers as they deal with the carnage, assist police and intelligence officers as they seek out those responsible. Grant politicians and other decision makers wisdom to respond appropriately. Comfort all those who have had their sense of security shattered by these attacks and empower all of us to overcome hatred and violence wherever we encounter them. We ask all of this in the name of your beloved Son, Amen.


1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
  He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
   He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
   you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
   and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 3:22-39 - Acts 16:16-24 - Mark 6:47-56

Parents of the Virgin Mary


Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen
(From Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back:
    "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
     their sons also forever shall sit on your throne."
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion;
     he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14"This is my resting place forever;
      here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;
     I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
     and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
      I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
Psalm 132 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 3:6-21 - Acts 16:6-15 - Mark 6:30-46

St James the Elder

O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1 O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge;
   save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
   rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
3 O LORD my God, if I have done this,
   if there is wrong in my hands,
4 if I have repaid my friend with evil
   or plundered my enemy without cause,
5 let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it,
   and let him trample my life to the ground
   and lay my glory in the dust.
6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
    lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;
    awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.
7  Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you;
    over it return on high.
Psalm 7 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 2:1-11 - Acts 15:36-16:5 - Mark 6:14-29

Mary Magdalene


Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed of all our infirmities and know you in the power of his endless life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
   so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
   while they say to me all the day long,
   "Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
   how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God
   with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
   and why are you in turmoil within me?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
   my salvation 6 and my God.

Psalm 42 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 31:1-13 - Acts 15:12-21 - Mark 5:21-43

Lord, Your Word says not to hide Your eternal light that is within me. And I do want others to know the hope You've given me. I want to have the boldness to burn brightly for You in this dark world.

So I ask You to help me not hide behind my fears of what others will think. Please shine Your light on those dark places in my heart that keep Your Holy Spirit from working through me. Make me into a star for You, a star that points people to heaven. Let my life reflect You in such a way that others will see Your loving kindness, tenderness, and mercy and be drawn to You and You alone.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
     (From "Prayers to my King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd)

1 I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
    to you, O LORD, I will make music.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.
   Oh when will you come to me?
   I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
   I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;
   I will know nothing of evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy.
   Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
   that they may dwell with me;
   he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
 Psalm 101 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 28:3-20 - Acts 15:1-11 - Mark 5:1-20