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SUNDAY
BETWEEN 18 SEPTEMBER AND 24 SEPTEMBER
PROPER 25
EXODUS 16:2-15
PSALM
105:1-6, 37-45
PHILIPPIANS
1:21-30
MATTHEW
20:1-16
COLLECT
Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth,
and ourselves in your image.
Teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and to serve you with reverence and thanksgiving;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
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A
READING FROM THE BOOK OF EXODUS
The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses
and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, "If
only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt,
when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you
have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole
assembly with hunger." Then the Lord said to Moses, "I
am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the
people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I
will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On
the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be
twice as much as they gather on other days." So Moses and
Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you shall
know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of
Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord,
because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what
are we, that you complain against us?" And Moses said,
"When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your
fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the
complaining that you utter against him - what are we? Your
complaining is not against us but against the Lord." Then
Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the
Israelites, 'Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your
complaining.'" And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation
of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the
glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses
and said, "I have heard the complaining of the Israelites;
say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning
you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am
the Lord your God.'" In the evening quails came up and
covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew
around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the
surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as
frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one
another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it
was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the Lord has
given you to eat."
EXODUS 16:2-15
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PSALM
REFRAIN The Lord has always been mindful of his covenant.
Give
thanks to the Lord and call upon his name; make known his deeds
among the peoples. R
Sing
to him, sing praises to him, and speak of all his marvellous
works.
Glory
in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord
rejoice.
Search
for the Lord and his strength; continually seek his face. R
Remember
the marvels he has done, his wonders and the judgements of his
mouth,
O
offspring of Abraham his servant, O children of Jacob his chosen.
R
He
led out his people with silver and gold; in all their tribes there
was not one that stumbled.
Egypt
was glad of their going, because they were afraid of them.
He
spread out a cloud for a covering and a fire to give light in the
night season. R
They
asked, and quails appeared, and he satisfied them with bread from
heaven.
He
opened the rock, and water flowed, so the river ran in the dry
places.
For
God remembered his holy word and Abraham his servant. R
So
he led forth his people with gladness, his chosen with shouts of
joy.
He
gave his people the lands of the nations, and they took the fruit
of others' toil,
That
they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Hallelujah! R
PSALM 105:1-6, 37-45
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A
READING FROM THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in
the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know
which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to
depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain
in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of
this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for
your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in
your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. Only, live
your life in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that,
whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will
know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by
side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way
intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their
destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. For
he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing
in Christ, but of suffering for him as well - since you are having
the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still
have.
PHILIPPIANS 1:21-30
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THE
HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
Jesus said, "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his
vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily
wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine
o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he
said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you
whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out again about
noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five
o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said
to them, 'Why are you standing here idle all day?' They said to
him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go
into the vineyard.' When evening came, the owner of the vineyard
said to his manager, 'Call the labourers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those
hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual
daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would
receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.
And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner,
saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them
equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching
heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no
wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take
what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same
as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what
belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the
last will be first, and the first will be last."
MATTHEW 20:1-16
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PRAYER
OVER THE GIFTS
God of power,
the glory of your works fills us with wonder and awe.
Accept our offering this day,
and help us to live in peace and harmony
with all your creation,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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PRAYER
AFTER COMMUNION
Ruler of the universe,
all creation yearns for its fulfilment in your Son.
May we who have shared in holy things
grow into maturity in him.
This we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
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