Responsive Reading: Psalm 107 : 1-9

1.     O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2.     Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

3.     And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

4.     They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

5.     Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

6.     Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7.     And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8.     Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

9.     For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

1. Psalm 100 : 1-5

1     Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2     Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3     Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4     Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5     For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

2. Luke 14 : 3 (And Jesus) only

3     And Jesus ...

3. Luke 17 : 12 (as)-19

12     ... as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13     And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14     And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15     And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16     And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17     And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18     There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19     And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

4. Acts 3 : 1 (to temple), 2-10

1     Now Peter and John went up together into the temple ...

2     And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3     Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4     And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5     And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6     Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7     And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8     And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9     And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10     And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

5. II Corinthians 5 : 17, 18

17     Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18     And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

6. Philippians 4 : 4, 6-8

4     Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

6     Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7     And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8     Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

7. II Thessalonians 3 : 18

18     The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

1. 587 : 5 (God)-8

God. The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence.

2. 3 : 17 (We)-24, 27-2

We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite, and then we try to give information to this infinite Mind. We plead for unmerited pardon and for a liberal outpouring of benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more.

If we are ungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and yet return thanks to God for all blessings, we are insincere and incur the sharp censure our Master pronounces on hypocrites. In such a case, the only acceptable prayer is to put the finger on the lips and remember our blessings. While the heart is far from divine Truth and Love, we cannot conceal the ingratitude of barren lives.

3. 9 : 17-24

Dost thou "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind"? This command includes much, even the surrender of all merely material sensation, affection, and worship. This is the El Dorado of Christianity. It involves the Science of Life, and recognizes only the divine control of Spirit, in which Soul is our master, and material sense and human will have no place.

4. 4 : 3-16

What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds. To keep the commandments of our Master and follow his example, is our proper debt to him and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer. Its motives are made manifest in the blessings they bring, — blessings which, even if not acknowledged in audible words, attest our worthiness to be partakers of Love.

5. 9 : 5-16

The test of all prayer lies in the answer to these questions: Do we love our neighbor better because of this asking? Do we pursue the old selfishness, satisfied with having prayed for something better, though we give no evidence of the sincerity of our requests by living consistently with our prayer? If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done. There is a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith.

6. 261 : 32-8

Good demands of man every hour, in which to work out the problem of being. Consecration to good does not lessen man's dependence on God, but heightens it. Neither does consecration diminish man's obligations to God, but shows the paramount necessity of meeting them. Christian Science takes naught from the perfection of God, but it ascribes to Him the entire glory. By putting "off the old man with his deeds," mortals "put on immortality."

7. 323 : 28-6

The effects of Christian Science are not so much seen as felt. It is the "still, small voice" of Truth uttering itself. We are either turning away from this utterance, or we are listening to it and going up higher. Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

8. 367 : 17-23

A Christian Scientist occupies the place at this period of which Jesus spoke to his disciples, when he said: "Ye are the salt of the earth." "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." Let us watch, work, and pray that this salt lose not its saltness, and that this light be not hid, but radiate and glow into noontide glory.