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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The following are the readings for the Fourth
Sunday after Pentecost, June 24, (Proper 7, ECUSA; Proper 12, RCL & Roman
Catholic) according to the Revised Common (RCL), Episcopal (ECUSA), Roman
Catholic, Church of England (Common Worship), and Canadian (BAS) Lectionaries.
All readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the
Bible. Unless noted otherwise, the lectionaries of ECUSA, Canada and England are
identical to the RCL this Sunday.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>OLD TESTAMENT: 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4 - 11, 19 -
23) 32 - 49 (RCL)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>1Sam 17:1 (NRSV) Now the Philis'tines gathered
their armies for battle; </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>4 And there came out from the camp of the
Philis'tines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and
a span. 5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of
mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 He had
greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his
shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's
head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him.
8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up
for battle? Am I not a Philis'tine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a
man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with
me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and
kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." 10 And the Philis'tine
said, "Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight
together." 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philis'tine,
they were dismayed and greatly afraid. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel,
were in the valley of E'lah, fighting with the Philis'tines. 20 David rose early
in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the provisions, and went as
Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth
to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philis'tines drew up
for battle, army against army. 22 David left the things in charge of the keeper
of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he
talked with them, the champion, the Philis'tine of Gath, Goliath by name, came
up out of the ranks of the Philis'tines, and spoke the same words as before. And
David heard him. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> 32 David said to Saul, "Let no one's heart
fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philis'tine." 33
Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philis'tine to fight
with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth." 34
But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and
whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after
it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned
against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. 36 Your
servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philis'tine
shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God." 37
David said, "The LORD, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of
the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philis'tine." So Saul said to
David, "Go, and may the LORD be with you!" <BR>38 Saul clothed David with his
armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail.
39 David strapped Saul's sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for
he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these; for
I am not used to them." So David removed them. 40 Then he took his staff in his
hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd's
bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the
Philis'tine. <BR>41 The Philis'tine came on and drew near to David, with his
shield-bearer in front of him. 42 When the Philis'tine looked and saw David, he
disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 The
Philis'tine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And
the Philis'tine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philis'tine said to David,
"Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild
animals of the field." 45 But David said to the Philis'tine, "You come to me
with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of
hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This very day
the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off
your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philis'tine army this very day
to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the
earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may
know that the LORD does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the
LORD's and he will give you into our hand." <BR>48 When the Philis'tine drew
nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the
Philis'tine. 49 David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and
struck the Philis'tine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he
fell face down on the ground. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV><BR>Job 38: 1 - 11 (alt. for RCL but not Can. BAS)<BR>Job 38:
1, 8 - 11 (Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Job 38:1 (NRSV) Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:
<BR>2 "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? <BR>3 Gird
up your loins like a man, <BR>I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
<BR>4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? <BR>Tell me, if
you have understanding. <BR>5 Who determined its measurements--surely you know!
<BR>Or who stretched the line upon it? <BR>6 On what were its bases sunk, <BR>or
who laid its cornerstone <BR>7 when the morning stars sang together <BR>and all
the heavenly beings shouted for joy? <BR>8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors
<BR>when it burst out from the womb?-- <BR>9 when I made the clouds its garment,
<BR>and thick darkness its swaddling band, <BR>10 and prescribed bounds for it,
<BR>and set bars and doors, <BR>11 and said, "Thus far shall you come, and no
farther, <BR>and here shall your proud waves be stopped'? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>16 "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, <BR>or walked in the
recesses of the deep? <BR>17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
<BR>or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? <BR>18 Have you comprehended
the expanse of the earth? <BR>Declare, if you know all this. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>1 Samuel 17: 57 - 18: 5, 10 - 16 (alt. for RCL)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>1Sam 17:57 (NRSV) On David's return from killing the Philistine, Abner took
him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58
Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" And David answered, "I am the
son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite." <BR>18:1 When David had finished
speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and
Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day and would not let
him return to his father's house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David,
because he loved him as his own soul. 4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe
that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and
his bow and his belt. 5 David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent
him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the
servants of Saul, approved. <BR>10 The next day an evil spirit from God rushed
upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as
he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; 11 and Saul threw the spear,
for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.
<BR>12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him but had departed
from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of
a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army. 14 David had
success in all his undertakings; for the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw
that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah
loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>PSALM 9: 9 - 20 (RCL - goes with the Goliath reading)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 9:9 (NRSV) The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, <BR>a
stronghold in times of trouble. <BR>10 And those who know your name put their
trust in you, <BR>for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. <BR>11
Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion. <BR>Declare his deeds among the
peoples. <BR>12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; <BR>he does not
forget the cry of the afflicted. <BR>13 Be gracious to me, O LORD. <BR>See what
I suffer from those who hate me; <BR>you are the one who lifts me up from the
gates of death, <BR>14 so that I may recount all your praises, <BR>and, in the
gates of daughter Zion, <BR>rejoice in your deliverance. <BR>15 The nations have
sunk in the pit that they made; <BR>in the net that they hid has their own foot
been caught. <BR>16 The LORD has made himself known, he has executed judgment;
<BR>the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. [Higgai'on. Se'lah]
<BR>17 The wicked shall depart to She'ol, <BR>all the nations that forget God.
<BR>18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, <BR>nor the hope of the poor
perish forever. <BR>19 Rise up, O LORD! Do not let mortals prevail; <BR>let the
nations be judged before you. <BR>20 Put them in fear, O LORD; <BR>let the
nations know that they are only human. [Se'lah] </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>9 Confitebor tibi (ECUSA
BCP)<BR> <BR>9 The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed,
*<BR> a refuge in time of trouble.<BR> <BR>10 Those
who know your Name will put their trust in you, *<BR> for you never
forsake those who seek you, O Lord.<BR> <BR>11 Sing praise to
the Lord who dwells in Zion; *<BR> proclaim to the peoples the things
he has done.<BR> <BR>12 The Avenger of blood will remember
them; *<BR> he will not forget the cry of the
afflicted.<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>13 Have pity on me, O Lord; *<BR> see the misery I
suffer from those who hate me,<BR> O you who lift me up from the gate
of death;<BR> <BR>14 So that I may tell of all your
praises<BR>and rejoice in your salvation *<BR> in the gates of the
city of Zion.<BR> <BR>15 The ungodly have fallen into the pit
they dug, *<BR> and in the snare they set is their own foot
caught.<BR> <BR>16 The Lord is known by his acts of justice;
*<BR> the wicked are trapped in the works of their own
hands.<BR> <BR>17 The wicked shall be given over to the grave,
*<BR> and also all the people that forget God.<BR> <BR>18
For the needy shall not always be forgotten, *<BR> and the hope
of the poor shall not perish for ever.<BR> <BR>19 Rise up, O
Lord, let not the ungodly have the upper hand; *<BR> let them be
judged before you.<BR> <BR>20 Put fear upon them, O Lord;
*<BR> let the ungodly know they are but mortal.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Psalm 133 (alt. for ECUSA - goes with the Saul / David
reading)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 133:1 (NRSV) How very good and pleasant it is <BR>when kindred live
together in unity! <BR>2 It is like the precious oil on the head, <BR>running
down upon the beard, <BR>on the beard of Aaron, <BR>running down over the collar
of his robes. <BR>3 It is like the dew of Hermon, <BR>which falls on the
mountains of Zion. <BR>For there the LORD ordained his blessing, <BR>life
forevermore. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>133 Ecce, quam bonum! (ECUSA
BCP)<BR> <BR>1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is,
*<BR> when brethren live together in unity!<BR> <BR>2
It is like fine oil upon the head *<BR> that runs down upon the
beard,<BR> <BR>3 Upon the beard of Aaron, *<BR> and
runs down upon the collar of his robe.<BR> <BR>4 It is like the
dew of Hermon *<BR> that falls upon the hills of
Zion.<BR> <BR>5 For there the Lord has ordained the blessing:
*<BR> life for evermore.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Psalm 107: 23 - 26, 28 - 31 (Roman Catholic)<BR>Psalm 107:
1 - 3, 23 - 32 (alt. for RCL - goes with Job reading)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Psal 107:1 (NRSV) O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; <BR>for his
steadfast love endures forever. <BR>2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
<BR>those he redeemed from trouble <BR>3 and gathered in from the lands,
<BR>from the east and from the west, <BR>from the north and from the south.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>23 Some went down to the sea in ships, <BR>doing business on the mighty
waters; <BR>24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, <BR>his wondrous works in the
deep. <BR>25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, <BR>which lifted up
the waves of the sea. <BR>26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the
depths; <BR>their courage melted away in their calamity; <BR>27 they reeled and
staggered like drunkards, <BR>and were at their wits' end. <BR>28 Then they
cried to the LORD in their trouble, <BR>and he brought them out from their
distress; <BR>29 he made the storm be still, <BR>and the waves of the sea were
hushed. <BR>30 Then they were glad because they had quiet, <BR>and he brought
them to their desired haven. <BR>31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast
love, <BR>for his wonderful works to humankind. <BR>32 Let them extol him in the
congregation of the people, <BR>and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>107 (ECUSA BCP)<BR> <BR>1 Give
thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *<BR> and his mercy endures for
ever.<BR> <BR>2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed
proclaim *<BR> that he redeemed them from the hand of the
foe.<BR> <BR>3 He gathered them out of the lands;
*<BR> from the east and from the west,<BR> from the north
and from the south.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>23 Some went down to the sea in ships *<BR> and
plied their trade in deep waters;<BR> <BR>24 They beheld the
works of the Lord *<BR> and his wonders in the
deep.<BR> <BR>25 Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose,
*<BR> which tossed high the waves of the sea.<BR> <BR>26
They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths;
*<BR> their hearts melted because of their
peril.<BR> <BR>27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards
*<BR> and were at their wits’ end.<BR> <BR>28 Then
they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *<BR> and he delivered them
from their distress.<BR> <BR>29 He stilled the storm to a
whisper *<BR> and quieted the waves of the sea.<BR> <BR>30
Then were they glad because of the calm, *<BR> and he brought
them to the harbor they were bound for.<BR> <BR>31 Let them
give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *<BR> and the wonders he does
for his children.<BR> <BR>32 Let them exalt him in the
congregation of the people *<BR> and praise him in the council of the
elders.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>NEW TESTAMENT: 2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 13
(RCL)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2 Cor 6:1 (NRSV) As we work together with him, we urge you also not to
accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, <BR>"At an acceptable time I
have listened to you, <BR>and on a day of salvation I have helped you." <BR>See,
now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We are putting
no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4
but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great
endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments,
riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience,
kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of
God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in
honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors,
and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see--we
are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always
rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing
everything. <BR>11 We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide
open to you. 12 There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13
In return--I speak as to children--open wide your hearts also. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 17 (Roman Catholic)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2Cor 5:14 (NRSV) For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are
convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for
all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who
died and was raised for them. <BR>16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one
from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point
of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there
is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become
new! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>GOSPEL: Mark 4: 35 - 41 (all)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mark 4:35 (NRSV) On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let
us go across to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him
with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great
windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already
being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke
him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 He
woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the
wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you afraid?
Have you still no faith?" 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one
another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" <BR></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Chad Wohlers<BR>Woodbury, Vermont USA<BR><A
href="mailto:chadwohl@satucket.com">chadwohl@satucket.com</A><BR><A
href="mailto:cwohlers@bridgew.edu">cwohlers@bridgew.edu</A><BR></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>