Sunday 3 October 2021 | St Francis Day

19th Sunday after Pentecost COLLECT O Holy Trinity, you are the unity of love: keep in love those who are born to each other and sustain the love of those who choose one another that all will flourish in the security you intend; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen Jesus, who raised the dead to life Help us to find ways to renew what we have broken, damaged and destroyed in our common home. Give hope to those working for a greener future. For you live and reign in the unity of the blessed Trinity one God now and forever. Amen. READING from Job 1: 1; 2: 1-10 There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz, who worshiped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil. When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord again, Satan was there among them. 2 The Lord asked him, “Where have you been?” Satan answered, “I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth.” 3 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the Lord asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever.” 4 Satan replied, “A person will give up everything in order to stay alive. 5 But now suppose you hurt his body—he will curse you to your face!” 6 So the Lord said to Satan, “All right, he is in your power, but you are not to kill him.” READING from Hebrews 1: 1-4; 2: 5-12 In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. He is the one through whom God created the universe, the one whom God has chosen to possess all things at the end. 3 He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power. 4 The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs. 5 God has not placed the angels as rulers over the new world to come—the world of which we speak. 6 Instead, as it is said somewhere in the Scriptures: “What are human beings, O God, that you should think of them; mere human beings, that you should care for them? THE GOSPEL according to Mark 10: 2-16 2 Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." 5 But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 6 But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." PRAYER FOR 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 – 29/04/2021. BENEDICTION Go now and welcome the signs of God’s kingdom with the joyous simplicity of children. Walk boldly in God’s strength, and do not sit with liars and hypocrites. And may God rescue you and be gracious to you. May Christ Jesus welcome you as his brothers and sisters. and may the Holy Spirit give you courage in time of suffering and strengthen you in integrity. COMMISSIONING/SENDING Go in peace with courage, to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.