32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time/Te Rātapu Toru Tekau o He Wā Noa
Taken from/inspired by Joshua 24:1-3,14-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13, and the ANZPB.
Bidding: Lord, hear us.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
[Psalm 78:1-7]
Let us pray.
According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
[from 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16]
Gracious Lord,
We thank you for our communities;
for those around us, and those who have gone before us.
[silence]
Bidding: Lord, hear us.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
…the people [said], “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes…
… We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.
[ from Joshua 24:16-17,24b]
We pray for the church.
Remind us of our vows, Lord,
and keep us from idolatry.
[silence]
Bidding: Lord, hear us.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
With all creation, we pray:
Amid the groans of creation, the Lord tells us,
“...keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
[from Matthew 25:13]
Make us attentive to your work
And the signs of your Kingdom
[silence]
Bidding: Lord, hear us.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Father, let us not serve you grudgingly like slaves, but with the gladness of children who delight in you and rejoice in their work; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
