Collect for the day
God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church in the burning fire of your love: grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that, always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The Readings
FIRST READING:
A reading from the Prophet Genesis
Chapter 50 Verses 15-21
15 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ 16 So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17 “Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ 19 But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21 So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 103
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits;
3 Who forgives all your sins and heals all your infirmities;
4 Who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with faithful love and compassion;
5 Who satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
6 The Lord executes righteousness and judgement for all who are oppressed.
7 He made his ways known to Moses and his works to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 He will not always accuse us, neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his mercy upon those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he set our sins from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so is the Lord merciful towards those who fear him.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Gospel Reading
HEAR THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD ACCORDING TO MATTHEW Chapter 18 Verses 21-35.
Glory to you O Lord.
21 Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29 Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
Intercessions
Please pray for those who are unwell:
Please remember in your prayers, those whose anniversary falls at this time, and those who mourn their passing:
Final Prayer
Keep, O Lord, your Church, with your perpetual mercy; and, because without you our human frailty cannot but fall, keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Welcome to all our visitors today
A final note for our visitors…
After the 11 am service refreshments are available in the Parsonage grounds. Just follow the throng!