The Rev. Canon Bahman Kalantari

Opening Hymn

Wednesday May 18th 

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In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost!

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

The Invitatory

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,

so may the light of your presence, O God,

set our hearts on fire with love for you;

Through your Word,

let your Holy Spirit

open our insight,

remove our ignorance,

kindle our zeal,

and bind us to you,

in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Preparation
Holy God, on this new day,

I give you thanks for all that lies before me and those I love.

Guide us and keep us on the path that you intend.

Help us to see the journey you set before us

when the way grows dim. Amen.

Te Deum (We praise Thee, O God)

We praise you O God, we confess you as the Lord; 
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting. 
To you all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers it holds; 
to you cherubim and seraphim cry in endless praise: 
Holy, holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts, 
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise you, 
the noble fellowship of the prophets praise you, 
the white-robed army of martyrs praise you, 
the holy Church throughout all the world confesses you: 
the Father of infinite majesty, 
your venerable, true, and only Son, 
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. 
You are the King of glory, O Christ. 
You are the everlasting Son of the Father.
When you took it upon yourself to deliver man, 
you did not disdain the virgin’s womb.
When you had overcome the sting of death, 
you opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. 
You are seated at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. 
We believe that you will come to be our judge. 
We therefore beg you to help your servants, 
whom you have redeemed with your Most Precious Blood. 
Make them to be numbered with your saints in glory everlasting.

O Lord save your people and bless your inheritance. 
Govern them and exalt them forever.

Day by day we magnify you, 
and we worship your name, forever and ever.
Be pleased, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. 
Have mercy on us, O Lord; have mercy upon us. 
O Lord, let your mercy be upon us, as we place our trust in you. 
In you, O Lord, have I put my trust, let me never be put to shame.

Hymn: 

Today’s Gospel

Mark 10:13-16

Jesus Blesses Little Children

And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

The Word of the Lord

Statement of Faith (Matthew 28:18-20)

And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. 

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
   hallowed be thy Name,
   thy kingdom come,
   thy will be done,
       on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
   as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
   for ever and ever. Amen.

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Prayers of Intercession

God our faithful Shepherd,           

we depend on you for everything we need:

for daily food, for guidance and protection,

for healing in injury and comfort in sorrow.

You respond in abundant provision.

Thank you for your tender care of us.

Thank you for soothing the wounds of this life.

Thank you that in the presence of enemies,

especially the last enemy of death,

you are with us, as Shepherd, Host, Home.

Knowing your faithfulness in our lives,

we bring before you the lives of others,

the cares of this world,

entrusting all things to your goodness and mercy.

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Bring healing to those who are ill in mind, body, or spirit.

Bring release to those who are held captive by old hurts

or new bonds that oppress and entangle.

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Bring freedom to those unjustly accused,

relief to those burdened with debt,

comfort to all who suffer from abuse of any kind.

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We pray for people living precariously in the midst of war.

Protect, we pray, citizens and soldiers alike,

and teach us to put away our weapons,

taking up instead words of peace and reconciliation.

By the power at work in Christ,

break down the walls of hostility we build

so that we may learn to live together graciously.

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We remember those living in the midst of drought and famine.

We pray for rain to fall and crops to grow,

and for generosity to overflow from our own hands and resources,

until all your children receive their daily bread;

until all your children have clean water to drink;

until all your children have adequate shelter and medical care.

Compel us to be better stewards of creation

so that our habitation is sustainable and responsible.

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Loving God, help us to see the world as you see it;

to see others as you see them;

and to see ourselves rightly, too.

Because you have come into this world for judgment,      

we can leave our judgments behind.

Pursue us all with your goodness and faithful love           

until goodness and faithful love fills every heart

and informs every action.

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We pray these things in the name of the one

who came that we might see,

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Let us now go peaceably,            

looking upon the hearts of others.

Live in Christ’s light,                  

even in the darkest valley.           

Trust that he is able to open our eyes,

enabling us to walk by faith

in his name. Amen.

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Closing Hymn: 

Closing Prayer

May God strengthen us to the end;                   

Christ draw near to our very gates;                    

and the Holy Spirit awaken our spirits;

until, with eager longing,

we greet the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Postlude: