Introduction to the Word and Liturgy for Worship
Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
-Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
Church at its simplest and most obvious is a protected place, an available time for God to have conversation with us and for us to have conversation with God in company with God's people. At the same time it is far more than this. God speaks and acts whenever and wherever he wills, but it [i.e., Church] is at least this: a congenial place and time to cultivate the presence of God. . . . Church is the gift we have been given for maintaining conversational relationship with everything God is and everything that we are, so that we can gradually come to live "to the praise of his glory," so that we can finally—it is going to take a long time!—grow to the "the full stature of Christ."
-Eugene Peterson, Practice Resurrection
The Collect of the Day
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your grace that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
First Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
Psalm 78:14-26 (posted below the Playlist)
Gospel Reading: John 6:24-35
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below on the Spotify Playlist to listen)
Psalm 78:14-26
14 He divided the sea and let them go through; *
he made the waters to stand in a heap.
15 In the daytime he led them with a cloud, *
and all the night through with a light of fire.
16 He split the hard rocks in the wilderness *
and gave them drink in abundance,
as out of the great deep.
17 He brought waters out of the stony rock, *
so that it gushed out like the rivers.
18 Yet for all this they sinned more against him, *
and provoked the Most High in the wilderness.
19 They tested God in their hearts *
and demanded food for their craving.
20 They spoke against God, saying, *
“Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
21 Indeed, he smote the stony rock, so that water gushed out,
and the streams overflowed; *
but can he give bread also, or provide meat for his people?”
22 When the Lord heard this, he was full of wrath; *
so a fire was kindled against Jacob,
and there flared up fierce anger against Israel,
23 Because they did not believe in God, *
and did not put their trust in his help.
24 So he commanded the clouds above *
and opened the doors of heaven.
25 He rained down manna upon them to eat *
and gave them food from heaven.
26 So mortals ate the bread of angels; *
for he sent them food enough.
(from the New Coverdale Psalter as found in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer)
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