Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

You servants of God,
your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad
his wonderful name;
the name all-victorious
of Jesus extol:
his kingdom is glorious,
and rules over all.

Salvation to God,
who sits on the throne!
let all cry aloud,
and honour the Son:
the praises of Jesus
the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces,
and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore,
and give him his right,
all glory and power,
all wisdom and might,
and honour and blessing,
with angels above,
and thanks never-ceasing,
and infinite love. Amen. Amen.

A reading from the book of Genesis.

The servant whom Abraham had sent said to Laban: ‘I am Abraham’s servant. The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, “You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.”

I came today to the spring, and said, “O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,’ and who will say to me, ‘Drink, and I will draw for your camels also’ – let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.”

Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, “Please let me drink.” She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, “Drink, and I will also water your camels.” So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” She said, “The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.” So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.’

And they called Rebekah, and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ She said, ‘I will.’ So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, ‘May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.’ Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, ‘Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?’ The servant said, ‘It is my master.’ So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

For the word of the Lord,
thanks be to God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

­­­­­“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”

Holy God, we pray for the peoples of the world:

for victims of war, violence and oppression,
for families battling pandemic and poverty,
for the hungry, the homeless and all refugees.

We give thanks, and pray for leaders who serve the common good, and for all whose work promotes justice and peace.

Make us a people whose hearts are ruled by your mercy and compassion,
and in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Holy God, we pray for the church:

for courage to act against injustice,
for integrity in our deeds and words,
for faith and trust in you, our Creator.

We give you thanks, and pray for all who are shepherds to your people: for deacons, priests and bishops, and all who minister in your name.

We pray for members of religious orders who have devoted their lives to you.

We pray for our sisters and brothers at St Andrew’s, Kiyosato.

Make us a people whose hearts are ruled by your inspiration and grace,
and in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Holy God, we pray for those to whom our lives are bound:

for our families, our friends and all whom we love,
for this parish community,
for those with whom we work and play.

We give you thanks for all whose love or care or daily work enriches our lives.

We pray for those we know are struggling or unhappy.

Make us a people whose hearts are ruled by your reconciliation and love,
and in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Holy God, we pray for all in special need:

for those lost in grief, loneliness or hopelessness,
for those imprisoned by pain, guilt or addiction.
We pray for those sick in body, mind or spirit, especially those known to us, and those living with Covid-19.

We give you thanks for all who bring healing and hope to those in need.
We give thanks, and pray for the medical staff, cleaners, carers, volunteers and scientists working to support and protect us.
Strengthen and guide them in that work.

Make us a people whose hearts are ruled by your compassion and hope,
and in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Holy God, we remember before you all have died, and we commend them to your care.

We remember Jonathan Carter, Nancy Wallace, Gillian Boyce and all whose years minds occur around this time.

Help us to follow in the footsteps of Mary Magdalene, Andrew and all your saints, that we, like them, may be gathered into your eternal presence where grief and pain are no more.

Loving God in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

At the Savior’s command
and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.