or [Common of a Pastor] [For Peace]

Preface of a Saint (2)

The Collect

Glorious God, we give thanks not merely for high and holy things, but for the common things of earth which you have created: Wake us to love and work, that Jesus, the Lord of life, may set our hearts ablaze and that we, like Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, may recognize you in your people and in your creation, serving the holy and undivided Trinity; who lives and reigns throughout all ages of ages. Amen.

Old Testament

2 Samuel 22:1–7(8–16)17–19

David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.


For the waves of death encompassed me,
the torrents of perdition assailed me;

the cords of Sheol entangled me,
the snares of death confronted me.


In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I called.

From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry came to his ears.

[Then the earth reeled and rocked;
the foundations of the heavens trembled
and quaked, because he was angry.

Smoke went up from his nostrils,
and devouring fire from his mouth;
glowing coals flamed forth from him.

He bowed the heavens, and came down;
thick darkness was under his feet.

He rode on a cherub, and flew;
he was seen upon the wings of the wind.

He made darkness around him a canopy,
thick clouds, a gathering of water.

Out of the brightness before him
coals of fire flamed forth.

The Lord thundered from heaven;
the Most High uttered his voice.

He sent out arrows, and scattered them
—lightning, and routed them.

Then the channels of the sea were seen,
the foundations of the world were laid bare

at the rebuke of the Lord,
at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.]


He reached from on high, he took me,
he drew me out of mighty waters.

He delivered me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me;
for they were too mighty for me.

They came upon me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my stay.

The Response

Psalm 69:15–20

Salvum me fac

15 "In your great mercy, O God, *
answer me with your unfailing help.

16 Save me from the mire; do not let me sink; *
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.

17 Let not the torrent of waters wash over me,
neither let the deep swallow me up; *
do not let the Pit shut its mouth upon me.

18 Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind; *
in your great compassion, turn to me."

19 "Hide not your face from your servant; *
be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.

20 Draw near to me and redeem me; *
because of my enemies deliver me."

The Epistle

1 Corinthians 15:50–58

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

The Gospel

Luke 10:25–37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

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