Readings for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, September 23rd

Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 11:18-20

Epistle Reading: James 3:13 – 4:10

Gospel Reading: Mark 9:30-37

Sermon: “Openness to God”

James 4:7-8,10 NRSV

[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Mark 9:35-37 NRSV

[35] He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” [36] Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, [37] “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”