St. John’s Episcopal Church

Hymnal Number / Prayer Book Page

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The people sit.

THE LESSONS

THE FIRST READING: ISAIAH 55:1-5

Thus says the Lord:
"Ho, everyone who thirsts,
  come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
  come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
  without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
  and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
  listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
  my steadfast, sure love for David.
See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
  a leader and commander for the peoples.
See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
  and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,
  for he has glorified you."

THE GRADUAL: PSALM 145:8-9, 15-22

(We will read alternating by half verse, broken at the asterisk)

8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, *
    slow to anger and of great kindness.

9 The LORD is loving to everyone *
    and his compassion is over all his works.

15 The LORD upholds all those who fall; *
    he lifts up those who are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD, *
    and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open wide your hand *
    and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

18 The LORD is righteous in all his ways *
    and loving in all his works.

19 The LORD is near to those who call upon him, *
    to all who call upon him faithfully.

20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
    he hears their cry and helps them.

21 The LORD preserves all those who love him, *
    but he destroys all the wicked.

22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; *
    let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

THE EPISTLE: ROMANS 9:1-5

I am speaking the truth in Christ-- I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit-- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:13-21

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

OFFERTORY
following the offertory the people stand for the presentation of the offering.

COMMUNION HYMNS