10th Sunday of the Cross
This Sunday's Summary
As the Season of the Cross comes to a close, we set our sights on the season of Advent, fifty days of focus and preparation to greet the Christmas arrival of the Lord into our worlds. Today’s readings help us in this preparation with Paul encouraging the church to be confident that the good work God has begun in us will be complete with the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, Jesus tells his followers that the surest preparation to receive him is to renounce our pride and become like a child, serving God and others in sincerity, simplicity and humility.
This Sunday's Readings
Old Testament Reading
Isaiah 25:9-26:7
And it will be said in that day:
“Behold, thisisour God;
We have waited for Him, and He will save us.
ThisistheLord;
We have waited for Him;
We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
For on this mountain the hand of theLordwill rest,
AndMoab shall be trampled down under Him,
As straw is trampled down for the refuse heap.
And He will spread out His hands in their midst
As a swimmer reaches out to swim,
And He will bring down theirpride
Together with the trickery of their hands.
Thefortress of the high fort of your walls
He will bring down, lay low,
Andbring to the ground, down to the dust.
Inthat day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
“We have a strong city;
Godwill appoint salvationforwalls and bulwarks.
Open the gates,
That the righteous nation whichkeeps the truth may enter in.
You will keephimin perfectpeace,
Whosemindisstayedon You,
Because he trusts in You.
Trust in theLordforever,
For inYah, theLord,iseverlasting strength.
For He bringsdown those who dwell on high,
The lofty city;
He lays it low,
He lays it low to the ground,
He brings it down to the dust.
The foot shalltread it down—
The feet of the poor
Andthe steps of the needy.”
The way of the justisuprightness;
O Most Upright,
Youweigh the path of the just.
Epistle Reading
Philippians 1:1-11
Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with thebishops anddeacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,always inevery prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,being confident of this very thing, that He who has beguna good work in you will completeituntil the day of Jesus Christ;just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,being filled with the fruits of righteousnesswhichareby Jesus Christ,to the glory and praise of God.
Gospel Reading
Luke 9:44-50
“Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.And Jesus,perceiving the thought of their heart, took alittle child and set him by Him,and said to them,“Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; andwhoever receives Mereceives Him who sent Me.For he who is least among you all will be great.”
Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
But Jesus said to him,“Do not forbidhim,forhe who is not againstus is onour side.”
This Sunday's Lesson Plans
Ages 5-8
Ages 9-14
Ages 14-17
This Sunday's Sermons
This Season's Saints
Tuesday, Sep 22
St. Shoushanik
Saturday, Sep 26
St. George
Saturday, Oct 03
Seventy-Two Disciples of Christ
Saturday, Oct 10
Holy Translators
Saturday, Oct 31
All Saints
Saturday, Nov 07