Sunday 11 September 2022 | Exposing the truth about Paul.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: They carry in their hearts a great hope COLLECT Loving God, you seek us whenever we wander away from you: find and embrace us that we may rejoice in the safety of your loving arms; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen READING Jeremiah 4: 11-25 12 the wind that comes at the Lord's command will be much stronger than that! It is the Lord himself who is pronouncing judgment on his people. 22 The Lord says, “My people are stupid; they don't know me. They are like foolish children; they have no understanding. They are experts at doing what is evil, but failures at doing what is good.” 23 I looked at the earth—it was a barren was . READING 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work. I thank him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve him, 13 even though in the past I spoke evil of him and persecuted and insulted him. But God was merciful to me because I did not yet have faith and so did not know what I was doing. 14 And our Lord poured out his abundant grace on me and gave me the faith and love which are ours in union with Christ Jesus. GOSPEL according to Luke 15: 1-10 1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 15:4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. PRAYER for Africa God, refresh Africa and all the world, Protect and grow our children. Convict with justice and truth, all our leaders And fill all hearts with your peace. For Jesus Christ sake. Amen. Prayer for Youth Father of everlasting compassion You see your children growing up in an uncertain and confusing world: Show them the path of life; Enable them to triumph over failure and frustration to hold fast their faith in you And to keep alive their joy in your creation; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen