Holy Communion Service in Malayalam
Worship Service
Lectionary Theme: Birth of John the Baptist — Bible Sunday Word of God, the source of Peace
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Jeremiah 15:15-21 First Lesson
15. O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult.
16. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.
17. I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation.
18. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail.
19. Therefore thus says the Lord: If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them.
20. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the Lord.
21. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
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Acts 13:17-26 Second Lesson
17. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
18. For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
19. After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance
20. for about four hundred fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel.
21. Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years.
22. When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.’
23. Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised;
24. before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25. And as John was finishing his work, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.’
26. “My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent.
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Hebrews 4:12-14 Epistle
12. Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. Jesus the Great High Priest
14. Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.
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Luke 1:57-66 Gospel
57. Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
58. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father.
60. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.”
61. They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.”
62. Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him.
63. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed.
64. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.
65. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea.
66. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. Zechariah’s Prophecy