The Season after Pentecost
(The first to 14th Sundays after Pentecost follow. Jump to the 15th to 27th Sundays starting on Page 624.)
Trinity Sunday
The First Sunday after Pentecost
The holy Trinity
Sentence
You O Lord reign for ever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Lamentations 5:19
Collects
God of unchangeable power,
you have revealed yourself
to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
keep us firm in this faith
that we may praise and bless your holy name;
for you are one God now and for ever.
Trinity of love,
maker of man and woman in your image,
help us to accept ourselves as we are,
and to know our need for each other.
Father,
you sent your Son to bring us truth
and your Spirit to make us holy;
open our hearts to exalt you,
open our lives to reveal you,
our one true God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Eternal and glorious God,
you dwell in a high and holy place,
yet draw us near in your beloved Son;
we humble ourselves before you
and pray that we may know your loving presence,
Creator, Redeemer, and Life-giver
our one true God for ever.
Psalms 97; 86
Readings
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1 |
Isaiah 6:1-8 |
A vision of God |
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Revelation 4 |
The throne in heaven |
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John 16:12-15 |
Jesus speaks of his Father |
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2 |
Deuteronomy 10:17 - 11:1 |
God of gods and Lord of lords |
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1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 |
Servants of the living God |
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John 4:5-26 |
Worship the Father in spirit |
The Second Sunday after Pentecost
God’s love for us
Sentence
You, O Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
Collects
Abba God, we call you Father,
and your care for us
is motherly as well.
Protect our power to love and be loved,
and make us glad to be called your children,
one whānau in Christ.
Loving God,
in Jesus you gather us into your family;
confidently we call you Father;
may your Spirit bring us to share
the glorious liberty of your children.
Almighty God,
you have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts
and set us free from bondage to sin;
give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that we and all people may be brought
to the glorious liberty of the children of God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalms 113; 92
Readings
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1 |
Jeremiah 31:1-6 |
God’s constant love |
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Romans 8:9-17 |
Abba! Father |
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Matthew 7:7-14 |
Giver of all good things |
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2 |
Isaiah 45:9-12 |
The Creator likened to father |
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2 Corinthians 1:3-7 |
The Father of mercies |
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Matthew 11:25-30 |
My yoke is easy |
The Third Sunday after Pentecost
God our strength and support
Sentence
There is none like the God of the upright, who rides on the heavens to help
you and on the clouds in majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting
arms.
Deuteronomy 33:26,27 (adapted)
Collects
God our friend, you never change,
you are always here.
When we are lonely or helpless
you watch over us.
Hear us,
be with us, as you were with your Son,
alone on his cross.
Mighty God,
strong, loving and wise,
help us to depend upon your goodness
and to place our trust in your Son.
God of unchangeable power,
our strength at all times;
guard us from all dangers
and support us in all difficulties
that we may live victoriously now and forever;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Psalms 121; 18:1-20
Readings
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1 |
Isaiah 26:1-4,7-9 |
An everlasting rock |
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2 Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:5 |
The Lord is faithful |
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Matthew 6:25-34 |
Do not be anxious |
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2 |
Deuteronomy 8:11-18 |
Preservation in the wilderness |
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1 Peter 5:6-11 |
Cast all your anxieties on God |
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Matthew 14:22-36 |
Where is your faith? |
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
God’s righteousness
Sentence
Give due honour to God’s holy name, bring offerings and enter the courts of
the Lord; for you O Lord are coming to judge the earth; with righteousness you will judge the world and
the peoples with your truth.
Psalm 96:8,13
Collects
God of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things,
graft in our hearts the love of your name,
increase in us true religion,
nourish in us all goodness,
and of your great mercy
keep us in the same;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Holy God,
before your face all sin must stand condemned;
help us to know our sins and to repent of them;
so may we find salvation in the cross
and mercy on the day of judgment.
Almighty God, you alone are our true judge,
for you know what we are,
you know what we should be,
and with you there is mercy.
Give us feeling for what is right;
set us on fire to see that right is done,
Psalms 76; 19
Readings
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1 |
Isaiah 32:14-20 |
Righteousness and justice |
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Romans 10:1-10 |
The message of faith |
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Luke 18:9-14 |
True righteousness |
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2 |
Isaiah 51:4-8 |
God’s victory will be final |
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Romans 3:21-26 |
God’s righteousness shown |
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John 5:19-29 |
The judgment of the Son |
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
God’s call to us
Sentence
In Christ we have been given our share in the heritage, as was decreed in
God’s design, whose purpose is everywhere at work.
Ephesians 1:11
Collects
Lord of the Church,
you have called us to witness in every nation.
May we do your work and bear your cross,
await your time and see your glory.
Call us to you, Jesus,
like Martha from her kitchen,
like Zacchaeus from the tree,
to hear and to do your will.
Almighty God,
you have called us to serve you,
yet without your grace
we are not able to please you;
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things direct and rule our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalms 50:1-15; 27
Readings
|
1 |
Jeremiah 1:4-10 |
The prophet’s call |
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1 Corinthians 1:26 - 2:5 |
God’s choice |
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Mark 1:14-22 |
Calling the apostles |
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2 |
Exodus 3:1-12 |
The call of Moses |
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2 Timothy 1:8-14 |
Called with a holy calling |
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Luke 5:27-35 |
Calling sinners to repentance |
The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
God’s purpose
Sentence
O Lord my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress; to you
the nations will come from the ends of the earth, and they will know that your name is the Lord.
Jeremiah 16:19-21 (adapted)
Collects
Almighty and eternal God,
it is your will to bring the whole creation
into unity in Christ;
grant that your Church may faithfully proclaim
the good news
until all people are saved
and the earth is full of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God,
in your Son Jesus Christ
you have created a people for yourself;
make us willing to obey you,
till your purpose is accomplished
and the earth is full of your glory.
Praise to you, God, for all your work among us.
Yours is the vigour in creation,
yours is the impulse in our new discoveries.
Make us adventurous, yet reverent and hopeful
in all we do.
Psalms 67; 119:137-144
Readings
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1 |
Deuteronomy 7:6-11 |
Holy to the Lord |
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Ephesians 1:3-14 |
God’s purpose in Christ |
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Matthew 5:13-20 |
The salt of the earth |
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2 |
Exodus 20:1-17 |
The ten commandments |
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Romans 13:8-10 |
Love fulfilling the Law |
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Luke 4:31-43 |
Sent for this purpose |
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
God’s work
Sentence
As the new heavens and the new earth which I am making shall endure in my
sight, so shall your race and your name endure; all people shall come to bow down before me, says the
Lord.
Isaiah 66:22,23
Collects
Make us glad, we pray you, gentle God,
to give each other your loving care;
make us happy to receive it.
May there daily grow within us
a generous, trusting spirit.
Merciful God,
you gave your only Son
to be both a sacrifice for sin
and an example of godly life;
help us gladly to receive
all that he has done for us
and follow in his footsteps;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
God, you are working still,
breaking down and building up;
open our eyes to discern your hands
so that we may take our place
as labourers together with you.
Psalms 117; 62
Readings
|
1 |
Isaiah 49:1-6 |
You are my servant |
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1 Corinthians 15:1-11 |
Paul’s work |
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Matthew 20:1-16 |
Workers in the vineyard |
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2 |
Ezekiel 2:1-7 |
A prophet’s task |
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2 Corinthians 11:21b-29 |
Labours of an apostle |
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John 4:27-42 |
Accomplishing God’s work |
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
The Church, the body of Christ
Sentence
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my saving right hand.
Isaiah 41:10Collects
Creator God,
you have made us
not in one mould, but in many:
so deepen our unity in Christ
that we may rejoice in our diversity.
Almighty and everlasting God,
by your Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified;
hear the prayers we offer
for all your faithful people,
that in the ministry to which you have called us
we may serve you in holiness and truth;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Christ of the new covenant,
give us the happiness to share,
with full measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over,
all that you give us.
Psalms 87; 122
Readings
|
1 |
Exodus 19:1-6 |
A kingdom of priests |
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Romans 12:1-8 |
One body in Christ |
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John 15:1-11 |
The vine and the branches |
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2 |
Joshua 24:16-24 |
The people choose the Lord |
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1 Peter 2:1-9 |
A spiritual house |
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Matthew 16:13-19 |
I will build my Church |
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
The Holy Bible
Sentence
God chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all creation.
James 1:18Collects
Almighty God,
your word is a lamp for our feet
and a light upon our path;
grant that by patient study of the Scriptures
we may follow more closely the way
that you set before us;
through Jesus Christ
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Lord Jesus,
as we search the Scriptures
patiently and reverently,
may we be led to you
the Word made flesh;
for you have the words of eternal life.
God of the living word,
give us the faith to receive your message,
the wisdom to know what it means,
and the courage to put it into practice.
Psalms 119:105-112; 119:89-96
Readings
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1 |
Joshua 1:6-9 |
Heeding the book |
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2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5 |
All Scripture inspired by God |
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Luke 20:27-40 |
Jesus’ use of Scripture |
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2 |
2 Kings 22:3-13 |
The book of the Law |
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Romans 15:1-6 |
Hope from Scripture |
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Luke 4:16-30 |
Jesus’ use of Scripture |
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Baptism
Sentence
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26Collects
Almighty Father,
grant that we your children
may never be ashamed
to confess the faith of Christ crucified,
but continue his faithful servants
to our lives’ end.
Come Holy Spirit, to all baptised in your name,
that we may turn to good
whatever lies ahead.
Give us passion, give us fire;
make us transform the world from what it is,
to what you have created it to be.
Eternal God,
you have given us one baptism
for the remission of sins;
grant that we who are born of water and the Spirit
and made members of Christ,
may be one in inward faith and outward service;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalms 23; 85
Readings
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1 |
Ezekiel 47:1,2,6-12 |
Living water |
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Romans 6:3-14 |
New life in Christ |
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John 3:1-13 |
Born of water and the Spirit |
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2 |
Isaiah 44:1-5 |
Water on the thirsty land |
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1 Corinthians 12:1-13 |
Baptised by one Spirit |
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Matthew 3:13-17 |
The baptism of Jesus |
The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Communion
Sentence
I would feed you with the finest wheat-flour; and satisfy you with honey from the rock.
Psalm 81:16 (adapted)Collects
Living host, call us together,
call us to eat and drink with you.
Grant that by your body and your blood
we may be drawn to each other
and to you.
Everloving God,
your Son Jesus Christ
gave himself as living bread
for the life of the world;
give us such a knowledge of his presence
that we may be strengthened
and sustained by his risen life
to serve you continually;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Father,
your Son gave his disciples a sign
by which to remember him
until he comes again;
as bread is broken and wine poured out
may our eyes be opened to know him,
Jesus our Lord.
Psalms 105:1-5, 38-44; 116
Readings
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1 |
Exodus 16:11-18 |
Bread from heaven |
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1 Corinthians 10:1-17 |
Communion in and with Christ |
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John 6:35-51 |
The bread of life |
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2 |
Exodus 24:3-11 |
The blood of the covenant |
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1 Corinthians 11:23-29 |
The institution of the |
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John 6:51-59 |
The flesh and blood of Christ |
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Ministry
Sentence
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins with his life’s blood, who
made of us a royal house to serve as the priests of his God and Father - to him be glory and dominion
for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:6
Collects
Almighty God,
by your grace alone
we are accepted and called to your service;
strengthen us by your Holy Spirit
and empower our calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Servant God, grant us opportunity,
give us willingness
to serve you day by day;
that what we do
and how we bear each other’s burdens,
may be our sacrifice to you.
Jesus, you took a towel
but Peter would have refused you;
make us eager to honour the ministry of others
and after your example to exercise our own.
Psalms 99; 132
Readings
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1 |
Ezekiel 33:1-6 |
The watcher |
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Ephesians 4:1-13 |
Gifts of ministry |
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John 21:15-19 |
Feed my sheep |
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2 |
Numbers 11:24-29 |
Moses’ ministry shared |
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1 Corinthians 12:14-31a |
One body, many parts |
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Luke 10:1-9 |
Harvest plentiful, |
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The gift of faith
Sentence
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord. They will be like trees planted by the waterside that do not fear when heat comes, and are not anxious in the year of drought. Jeremiah 17:7,8
Collects
Jesus, you turned death into life,
turned defeat into victory.
Grant that with your help
we may raise our expectations
and achieve what is yet impossible.
God, the strength of all who believe in you,
increase our faith and trust
in your Son Jesus Christ,
that in him we may live victoriously.
God of our forebears,
as your chosen servant Abraham
was given faith to obey your call
and go out into the unknown,
so may your Church be granted such faith
that we may follow you courageously
now and forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalms 91; 3
Readings
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1 |
Genesis 12:1-9 |
Abraham’s faith |
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Ephesians 2:1-10 |
Saved by grace though faith |
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Luke 7:1-10 |
The centurion’s servant |
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2 |
Isaiah 40:25-31 |
Trust renews strength |
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Hebrews 11:32 - 12:2 |
People of faith |
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Mark 9:14-29 |
Healing the epileptic child |
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The gift of hope
Sentence
We have waited eagerly for you O Lord; for you are our help and our shield; our hearts shall rejoice in you, because we have hoped in your holy name. Psalm 33:19,20
Collects
Eternal Father,
your Son Jesus Christ,
now exalted as Lord of all,
pours out his gifts on the Church;
grant us that unity which your Spirit gives,
keep us in the bond of peace,
and bring all creation to worship
before your throne;
for you live and reign
one God for ever and ever.
Almighty God,
give us such a vision of your purpose
and such an assurance of your love and power,
that we may ever hold fast the hope
which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Give us courage to hope, and to risk disappointment.
Teach us to pray expectantly,
and when our prayers seem to fail,
bring us to pray again and again;
for you are our God,
who acts and will act again.
Psalms 72; 46
Readings
|
1 |
Job 19:21-27a |
Job’s hope in God |
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1 Peter 1:3-9 |
A living hope |
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John 11:17-27 |
Hope even in death |
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2 |
Jeremiah 31:15-20 |
Hope shall be rewarded |
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Romans 8:14-27 |
The hope of the creation |
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Luke 12:22-34 |
Fear not, little flock |