Sunday 6 June 2021

Second Sunday after Pentecost Theme: Why the will of God matters COLLECT Our Father, from whom every family on earth takes its name: help us to do your will that as sisters and brothers of Christ we may love and serve you and one another; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in glory everlasting. Amen READING 2 Corinthians 4: 13-18 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus to life, will also raise us up with Jesus and take us, together with you, into his presence. 15 All this is for your sake; and as God's grace reaches more and more people, they will offer to the glory of God more prayers of thanksgiving. 16 For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. 17 And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. 18 For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever. THE GOSPEL according to Mark 3: 20-35 21 When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, "He has gone out of his mind." 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons." 23 And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. 27 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. 28 "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin PRAYER IN THE TIME OF COVID Author of life, Saviour of the nations COVID is humbling, your grace is sufficient. The deaths, we mourn; For the recoveries, we give thanks; The compassionate care, we applaud; For the vaccines, we are grateful; For compliance, we plead; For the common good, we pray; In the healing name of Jesus. Amen © Rodney Whiteman BLESSING Go now, praising God’s name with your whole heart. Rejoice in the work of the Holy Spirit, even when others call it evil and denounce you as mad. Be the true sisters and brothers of Jesus by doing the will of God always. And may God extend grace to you and through you; May Christ Jesus walk with you in the midst of trouble; and may the Holy Spirit prepare you for glory beyond all measure. Amen COMMISSIONING Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia. In the name of Christ. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia.