Lessons for November 19, 2006 – Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

The first lesson

Daniel 12:1-3
 
    "At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. 2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever.  (NLT) 

Psalm 16.

L.  Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.
C.  I said to the Lord, "You are my Master! All the good things I have are from you." 
L.  The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! 
C.  Those who chase after other gods will be filled with sorrow.
L.  I will not take part in their sacrifices or even speak the names of their gods.
C.  Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
L.  You guard all that is mine. 
C.  The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
L.  What a wonderful inheritance!
C.  I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. 
L.  I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
C.  No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises!
L.  My body rests in safety. 
C.  For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your godly one to rot in the grave. 
L.  You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence
C.  and the pleasures of living with you forever.  (NLT)
 
The second lesson

Hebrews 10:11-25
 
    Under the old covenant, the priest stands before the altar day after day, offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as one sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down at the place of highest honor at God's right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled as a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he perfected forever all those whom he is making holy.  15And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. First he says,
16"This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord:I will put my laws in their hearts so they will understand them, and I will write them on their minds so they will obey them."
 
17Then he adds, "I will never again remember  their sins and lawless deeds."

18Now when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. 19And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 250 This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us. 21And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's people, 22 let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.  23Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.  (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

Mark 13:1-8
 
    As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at these tremendous buildings! Look at the massive stones in the walls!" 2 Jesus replied, "These magnificent buildings will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another." 3 Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, 4 "When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to show us when all this will be fulfilled?" 5 Jesus replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, 6 because many will come in my name, claiming to be the Messiah. They will lead many astray. 7 And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. 8 Nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, and famines. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.  (NLT)