Sunday 17 October 2021 | Made eager to give lovi g service

21st Sunday after Pentecost COLLECT Lord Jesus Christ, you came among us as the servant of all: overturn our wrongful pride and make us eager to serve our brothers and sisters with the loving self-sacrifice. for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen READING Job 38: 1-7 2 Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words? 3 Now stand up straight and answer the questions I ask you. 4 Were you there when I made the world? If you know so much, tell me about it. 5 Who decided how large it would be? Who stretched the measuring line over it? Do you know all the answers? 6 What holds up the pillars that support the earth? Who laid the cornerstone of the world? READING Hebrews 5: 1-10 Every high priest is chosen from his fellow men and appointed to serve God on their behalf, to offer sacrifices and offerings for sins. 2 Since he himself is weak in many ways, he is able to be gentle with those who are ignorant and make mistakes. 4 No one chooses for himself the honour of being a high priest. It is only by God's call that a man is made a high priest—just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the honour of being a high priest. Instead, God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 He also said in another place, “You will be a priest forever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.” GOSPEL Mark 10: 35-45 35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36 And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" 39 They replied, "We are able." Then Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 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 with the words of your high priest in your ears: “You are a forgiven people.” Though Christ has welcomed you to his table, do not lord it over others. Strive not to be served, but to serve, and pray, with cries and tears, for the salvation of all. And may God be present to you in times of trial; May Christ Jesus pray for you and secure your forgiveness; and may the Holy Spirit fill you with hope and humility. COMMISSIONING/SENDING Go in peace with courage, to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.