Readings & Bulletins for July 3 & 4

Readings & Bulletins for July 3 & 4

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The collect for the day

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who can do no good thing apart from you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lesson: Acts 4: 32-37

They Had Everything in Common

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The psalm: Psalm  24: 1-6

1. The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the compass of the world and those who dwell therein.

2 For he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers of the deep.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
Or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
and who has not set his mind upon vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbor.

5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of those who seek him,
even of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

The gospel: Matthew 6: 19-24

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

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