Humility, Compassion and Service

Collect: Proper 20

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Proverbs 31:10-31. . .  praises the ideal wife.

Psalm 1 . . . Life’s Journey: two contrasting ways to live and the teaching they provide

and/or

Wisdom 1:16—2:1, 12-22 . . .  (alternate Canticle) gives voice to the ungodly, who experience the goodness of the righteous as an unwelcome reminder of their selfishness.

James 3:13—4:3, 7-8a. . . reminds us that humility and peaceableness show the wisdom of God.

Mark 9:30-37, , ,  contrasts the disciples’ battle over privilege with Jesus’ proclamation of his radical approach to discipleship—placing ourselves at the disposal of the lowliest of the kingdom.

In today’s sermon, Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, Senior Pastor of the historic Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, preaches on Mark 9:30-37  “Why do so many of us get bogged down in keeping things from changing?”