The week in Bible reading and prayer
Sunday 27th September Trinity 16
8am Eucharist: Holy Trinity, Tarleton
10.30am Eucharist: St Mary the Virgin, Rufford
Today’s readings – Ezekiel 18.1-4,25-end, Psalm 25.1-8, Philippians 2.1-13 and Matthew 21.23-32
The Collect
O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers of your people who call upon you; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them; 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.
Old Testament – Ezekiel 18.1-4, 25-end
The word of the Lord came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.
Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it: For the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicket turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.
The Gospel – Matthew 21.23-32
When Jesus entered the Temple, the Chief Priests and the Elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from Heaven, or was it of human origin?” and they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From Heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ but if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; For all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of the father?” They said, “The first” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believe him; and even after you saw it you did not change your mind and believe him.
Prayer intentions:
🙏🏼 We pray for our parish clergy and all other office holders.
🙏🏼 For the sick and those in need: Zena Ashcroft, Margaret Baxter, Bishop John, Colin Brown, Jack Dalton, Eric Gore, Jimmy Johnstone, Santau Ka, Paddy MacDonagh, Ruth Middlesborough & Donald Sephton.
🙏🏼For the faithful departed: Margery Wright.
🙏🏼 For year’s mind: Mary Alice Baybutt, Alan Dyson, Beatrice Goodwin, Hilda Howarth, John Moss & Thomas Wareing.
🙏🏼 In our cycle of prayer we pray for those in Rivington Close and Ruskin Close.
Monday 28th
Today’s readings – Job 1.6-end, Psalm 17.1-11 & 2 Luke 9.46-50
🙏🏼We give thanks for the ways we can come together virtually.
Tuesday 29th – Michael and all Angels
Today’s readings – Genesis 28.10-17, Psalm 103.19-end, Revelation 12.7-12 & John 1.47-end
The Collect
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and mortals in a wonderful order: grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so, at your command, they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
🙏🏼 We pray for those who are dying and for those who watch with them and care for them
Wednesday 30th – Jerome, translator, teacher of the faith, 420
10am Eucharist – Holy Trinity, Tarleton
Today’s readings – Job 9.1-12, 14-16, Ps. 88.1-6, 11 & Luke 9.57-end
🙏🏼 We give thanks for the word of God in the Bible and pray for all young people.
During the first two weeks of October please pray for the finances of the church, for our Gift days, for both parishes and for the diocese.
Thursday 1st October – Anthony Ashley Cooper, social reformer, 1885
7pm Eucharist – St Mary the Virgin, Rufford
Today’s readings – Job 19.21-27a, Ps. 27.13-16 & Luke 10.1-12
🙏🏼 We give thanks for Christian social reformers.
Friday 2nd
Today’s readings – Job 38.1, 12-21, 40.3-5, Ps. 139.6-11 & Luke 10.13-16
🙏🏼 We pray for newly ordained priests preparing to preside at the Eucharist on Sunday.
Saturday
Today’s readings – Job 42.1-3,6,12-end, Ps. 119.169-end & Luke 10.17-24
🙏🏼 We pray for all peacemakers.
Next Sunday 4th October Trinity 17
8am Eucharist: St Mary the Virgin, Rufford
10.30am: Eucharist: Holy Trinity, Tarleton
Today’s readings – Isaiah 5.1-7, psalm 80.9-17, Philippians 3.4b-14 & Matthew 2133-end
🙏🏼We give thanks for Francis and the Franciscan tradition and pray for those living in Sandringham Close.
All services need to be booked in advance. For worship at Rufford, please ring Roy on (01704) 821464 and for Tarleton, Neil on (01772) 816390.
