23rd October 2022 – Last Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

The Readings

Joel 2.23-end

O children of Zion, be glad
and rejoice in the Lord your God;
for he has given the early rain for your vindication,
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the later rain, as before.
The threshing-floors shall be full of grain,
the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

I will repay you for the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army, which I sent against you.

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other.
And my people shall never again
be put to shame.

Then afterwards
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female slaves,
in those days, I will pour out my spirit.

I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Luke 18.9-14

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

Scripture Quotations are from: 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. http://nrsvbibles.org

The Prayers
Prepared by Catherine.

Let us pray...

We pray for the Church. May we truly be the Spirit-filled people of God who dream dreams of a world
where none go hungry and wars have ceased. May we do all we can to help make these dreams a reality.
We pray for our world and all its people. We think especially of those affected by flood, drought, fire, war,
poverty or oppression.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our nation. We continue to pray for our government in this time of instability and change, for
wisdom for those in positions of authority and for compassionate decision making. We pray for those who
collect and use our taxes, that our contributions may be used effectively and wisely for the benefit of all.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our city and local neighbourhood. We remember especially all schoolchildren and teachers,
that this week’s half term might be a time of rest and refreshment. We think of those struggling to heat
their homes or provide enough food for themselves or their families.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are suffering in any way. This week we pray for those who struggle with speech
or other forms of communication. In a few moments of quiet, we remember any known personally to us
who need our prayers.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember those who have died and all who mourn. We pray for all who have experienced
bereavement this past year, and especially for those known locally, asking that God’s Spirit provide
strength and comfort in their loss.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father
Accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

St Marys Walkley

The Church on the Road: inclusive, eucharistic, a safe place to be with God

23rd October 2022 – Last Sunday after Trinity Eucharist