Saint Andrew, November 30

Collect:
Almighty God, who didst give such grace to thine apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of thy Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by thy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Deuteronomy 30:11-14
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

Second Lesson: Romans 10:8b-18
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

"Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

Psalm: 19 or 19:1-6

  1. The heavens declare the glory of God, *
    and the firmament shows his handiwork.
  2. One day tells its tale to another, *
    and one night imparts knowledge to another.
  3. Although they have no words or language, *
    and their voices are not heard,
  4. Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
    and their message to the ends of the world.
  5. In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
    it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
    it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
  6. It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
    and runs about to the end of it again; *
    nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
  7. The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; *
    the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
  8. The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart; *
    the commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.
  9. The fear of the LORD is clean and endures for ever; *
    the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
  10. More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, *
    sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
  11. By them also is your servant enlightened, *
    and in keeping them there is great reward.
  12. Who can tell how often he offends? *
    cleanse me from my secret faults.
  13. Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
    let them not get dominion over me; *
    then shall I be whole and sound,
    and innocent of a great offense.
  14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
    heart be acceptable in your sight, *
    O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible

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