NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
October 15, 2023
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTIOR.
ALL HOLY TRINITY, GLORY TO THEE!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY: PREVIEW OF THE READINGS.
THE LESSON: Ephesians 4:17-32
Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart; they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness. You did not so learn Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 9:1-8
And just then some people were carrying a paralysed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic— ‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
PARISH LIFE NOTES
The Seniors’ Community Kitchen meets on Monday, October 16 at 10 a.m. in the Upper Hall.
Operation Christmas Child
The Faith Quest kids are starting to learn about the parable of the Good Samaritan and will finish up the unit by packing shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse to distribute through Operation Christmas Child. For the past 30 years, Samaritan’s Purse has distributed shoe boxes packed with gifts including toiletries, school supplies, clothing, and toys to the world’s most deprived children as a tangible expression of God’s love for them. Since 1993, almost 210 million children have received a shoebox. This picture shows boxes delivered this year to a Muslim minority community in Mongolia.
To help the Faith Quest kids in their efforts to be a blessing to children elsewhere, please bring items you would like to donate. You can pick up a list of potential items from the display table, or if you want, you can pack a box yourself. New items only, please, and no liquids. Bring the boxes or donations to the church by October 29 at the latest.
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY. Sensible Shoes is an unusual novel, blending a fictional story with nonfiction teaching elements. Some readers view it only as a story of four characters on a journey. Others say yes to a deeper level of reading, embracing opportunity to take a “sacred journey” along with the characters, by opening themselves to the Spirit’s work and ending to God’s invitations. Speak to Lorna or see the signup sheet on the table in the landing.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:30; Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.