St Edburg's Church - Bicester

Collect of the Day

Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast
  the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

 

First Reading

Isaiah 45.22–25

22 Turn to me and be saved,
  all the ends of the earth!
  For I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn,
  from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness
  a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
  every tongue shall swear.’

24 Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me,
  are righteousness and strength;
all who were incensed against him
  shall come to him and be ashamed.
25 In the Lord all the offspring of Israel
  shall triumph and glory.

 

Psalm

119.129–136

129  Your testimonies are wonderful; ♦︎
  therefore my soul keeps them.
130  The opening of your word gives light; ♦︎
  it gives understanding to the simple.
131  I open my mouth and draw in my breath, ♦︎
  as I long for your commandments.
132  Turn to me and be gracious to me, ♦︎
  as is your way with those who love your name.
133  Order my steps by your word, ♦︎
  and let no wickedness have dominion over me.
134  Redeem me from earthly oppressors ♦︎
  so that I may keep your commandments.
135  Show the light of your countenance upon your servant ♦︎
  and teach me your statutes.
136  My eyes run down with streams of water, ♦︎
  because the wicked do not keep your law.

​

Second Reading

Romans 15.1–6

15We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us must please our neighbour for the good purpose of building up the neighbour. 3For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ 4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Gospel

Luke 4.16–24

16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
  because he has anointed me
    to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
  and recovery of sight to the blind,
    to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ 23He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ 24And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town.

​

Post Communion Prayer

Father in heaven,
whose Church on earth is a sign of your heavenly peace,
an image of the new and eternal Jerusalem:
grant to us in the days of our pilgrimage
that, fed with the living bread of heaven,
and united in the body of your Son,
we may be the temple of your presence,
the place of your glory on earth,
and a sign of your peace in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. nrsvbibles.org.

The Common Worship psalter is © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church