Ephesians 1.1-9
(Epistle)
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,
5having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,
6to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved.
7In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
8which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
Colossians 1.24-2.1
(Epistle, Nikitas)
24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly,
25of which I was made a servant according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you to fulfill the word of God,
26the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,
27to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;
29for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
1For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Mark 7.24-30
(Gospel)
24From there he arose and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house and didn’t want anyone to know it, but he couldn’t escape notice.
25For a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet.
26Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter.
27But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
28But she answered him, “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
29He said to her, “For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
30She went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out.
Matthew 10.16-22
(Gospel, Nikitas)
16“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
17But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
18Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
19But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
22You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.