22. For Social Service

Collect:
O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless, we beseech thee, all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, the same thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Zechariah 8:3-12,16-17
This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty.

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty, let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built. Before that time there were no wages for man or beast. No one could go about his business safely because of his enemy, for I had turned every man against his neighbor. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past," declares the LORD Almighty.

"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.

16These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Psalm: 146

  1. Hallelujah!
    Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
    I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
  2. Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
    for there is no help in them.
  3. When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
    and in that day their thoughts perish.
  4. Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
    whose hope is in the LORD their God;
  5. Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
    who keeps his promise for ever;
  6. Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
    and food to those who hunger.
  7. The LORD sets the prisoners free;
    the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
    the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
  8. The LORD loves the righteous;
    the LORD cares for the stranger; *
    he sustains the orphan and widow,
    but frustrates the way of the wicked.
  9. The LORD shall reign for ever, *
    your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
    Hallelujah!

or 22:22-27

  1. Praise the LORD, you that fear him; *
          stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel;
          all you of Jacob's line, give glory.
  2. For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;
          either does he hide his face from them; *
          but when they cry to him he hears them.
  3. My praise is of him in the great assembly; *
          I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.
  4. The poor shall eat and be satisfied,
          and those who seek the LORD shall praise him: *
          "May your heart live for ever!"
  5. All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, *
          and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.
  6. For kingship belongs to the LORD; *
          he rules over the nations.

Mark 10:42-52
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."

So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

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

Various Occasions