Jan 21: 3rd Sunday After the Epiphany

Readings
JONAH 3:1-5, 10; PSALM 62:6-14; 1 CORINTHIANS 7:29-31; MARK 1:14-20

Collect
Almighty God,
by grace alone you call us
and accept us in your service.
Strengthen us by your Spirit,
and make us worthy of your call;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

First Reading
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF JONAH
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
JONAH 3:1-5, 10

Psalm
PSALM
REFRAIN Take refuge in God, all you people.

For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly, my hope is in him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken. R

In God is my safety and my honour; God is my strong rock and my refuge.

Put your trust in him always, O people, pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge. R

Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, even those of low estate cannot be trusted.

On the scales they are lighter than a breath, all of them together. R

Put no trust in extortion; in robbery take no empty pride; though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it. R

God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, that power belongs to God.

Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, for you repay everyone according to his deeds.R
PSALM 62:6-14

Second Reading
A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS
I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
1 CORINTHIANS 7:29-31

Gospel
THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MARK
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
MARK 1:14-20

Prayer over the Gifts
Loving God,
before the world began you called us.
Make holy all we offer you this day,
and strengthen us in that calling.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord

Prayer After Communion
Gracious God,
our hands have taken holy things;
our lives have been nourished by the body of your Son.
May we who have eaten at this holy table
be strengthened for service in your world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.

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