Sunday, October 17th, 2021
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Job 38:1-7
The LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
Psalm 104:1-9, 25, 37b 
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; *
O LORD my God, how excellent
is your greatness!
you are clothed
with majesty and splendor.
2 You wrap yourself with light
as with a cloak *
and spread out the heavens
like a curtain.
3 You lay the beams of your
chambers in the waters above; *
you make the clouds your chariot;
you ride on the wings of the wind.
4 You make the winds your messengers *
and flames of fire your servants.
5 You have set the earth
upon its foundations, *
so that it never shall move at any time.
6 You covered it with the Deep
as with a mantle; *
the waters stood higher than the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled; *
at the voice of your thunder
they hastened away.
8 They went up into the hills and
down to the valleys beneath, *
to the places you had appointed for them.
9 You set the limits that they should not pass; *
they shall not again cover the earth.
25 O LORD, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
37b Hallelujah!
The Epistle
Hebrews 5:1-10
Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
The Gospel
Mark 10:35-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
O Creator God, who shelters our homes
who daily tends to the small and the weak
you light the sky with stars for our delight
and so that we can navigate when lost.
Help us, dear Lord, to live to humbly serve.
We fight and tussle to take the top spot
you call us to wait our turn and be humble
your disciples thought they were first in line
and learned that following you mean serving.
Help us, dear Lord, to live to humbly serve.
The world is a war with disease and our pride
each nation and party believing they are just
yet you know our fearful and trembling hearts
calling us to be strong in our very weakness.
Help us, dear Lord, to live to humbly serve.
We stumble and complain about our challenges
Yet you shower us with blessings day and night.
Help us, dear Lord, to live humbly to serve.
The seasons turn with great beauty and truth
yet we would stop the changing in our lives.
Help us, dear Lord, to live humbly to serve.
You are the source of all life and abundance
and you know us each by name as beloved.
Help us, dear Lord, to live humbly to serve. Amen.
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