Holy Communion Service in English
Worship Service
Lectionary Theme: Meeting of Virgin Mary and Elizabeth; Transcending adversity with hope; Formation Day of Church of North India
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Jeremiah 33:10-16 First Lesson
10. Thus says the Lord: In this place of which you say, “It is a waste without human beings or animals,” in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without inhabitants, human or animal, there shall once more be heard
11. the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: “Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.
12. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In this place that is waste, without human beings or animals, and in all its towns there shall again be pasture for shepherds resting their flocks.
13. In the towns of the hill country, of the Shephelah, and of the Negeb, in the land of Benjamin, the places around Jerusalem, and in the towns of Judah, flocks shall again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says the Lord. The Righteous Branch and the Covenant with David
14. The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
15. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
16. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
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Romans 15:1-7 Second Lesson
1. We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.
3. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
4. For 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.
5. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus,
6. so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike
7. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
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2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 Epistle
3. We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
4. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring. The Judgment at Christ’s Coming
5. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.
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Luke 1:39-45 Gospel
39. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,
40. where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
42. and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
44. For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
45. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Mary’s Song of Praise