6th July: Trinity 3
online Morning Prayer from Mappleton.
Galatians 6:7-16
As he draws to the end of his letter to the Christians in Galatia, Paul writes personally to them reminding them of his message that the rite of circumcision is no longer of significance to Christians. All things and all people are one in Christ.
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.”
Something to think about
The account of the mission of the seventy disciples is only found in Luke’s gospel. In those days, the Jews believed that there were seventy nations in the Gentile world, mirrored in the number of disciples. Jesus offered advice as they set out on how to deliver their message and how they should behave in each place.They would receive the reward for their success in heaven.
Collect
God our Saviour,
look on this wounded world in pity and in power
and help us to hold fast to your promises of peace
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Post Communion
O God, whose beauty is beyond our imagining
and whose power we cannot comprehend:
show us your glory as far as we can grasp it,
and shield us from knowing more than we can bear
until we may look upon you without fear;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Next Sunday’s (13th) Readings:
Colossians 2:6-15
Luke 10:25-37
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Reina Hammond, Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
The recently bereaved, especially the family and friends of Marie Bacon, Mollie Moon, Margaret Marsden, Lindsey Harrison, Bob Bates and Paul Clarke.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, as they face up to the problems of the future.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel & Lynda and her support: Simon.