Prayer for the Gathering: Proper 22 from the Book of Common Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: New City Catechism Question 19
Q: Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God's favor?
A: Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment of sin, by a Redeemer.
Call to Worship: 2 Timothy 1:8-12
Not Ashamed of the Gospel
[8] So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me his prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. [9] He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. [10] This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. [11] For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, [12] and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.
Worship in Song
Worship Set for 10/15/2023
Praise Him, Praise Him | His Mercy is More | Grace Greater Than Our Sin
The Word Preached: 1 Peter 3:13-22
Undeserved Suffering
[13] Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? [14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, [15] but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. [16] Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. [17] For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
[18] For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, [19] in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison [20] who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people—were saved through water. [21] Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
Response to the Word Preached
Response in Song: 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus