October 17th 2021
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(Click on the Bible references if you would like to study the readings in more depth)

Psalm 65
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O God, it is right for us to praise you in Zion
and keep our promises to you, 
 because you answer prayers.
People everywhere will come to you 
on account of their sins.
Our faults defeat us, but you forgive them. 

Happy are those whom you choose,
whom you bring to live in your sanctuary.
We shall be satisfied with the good things of your house,
the blessings of your sacred Temple. 

You answer us by giving us victory
and you do wonderful things to save us.
People all over the world and across the distant seas trust in you. 
You set the mountains in place by your strength,
showing your mighty power. 
You calm the roar of the seas and the noise of the waves;
you calm the uproar of the peoples. 

​The whole world stands in awe of the great things that you have done. Your deeds bring shouts of joy
from one end of the earth to the other. 
 You show your care for the land by sending rain;
you make it rich and fertile.
You fill the streams with water;
you provide the earth with crops.
This is how you do it: 
 you send abundant rain on the plowed fields
and soak them with water; you soften the soil with showers
and cause the young plants to grow. 

What a rich harvest your goodness provides!
Wherever you go there is plenty. 
The pastures are filled with flocks; the hillsides are full of joy. 
The fields are covered with sheep;
the valleys are full of wheat.

Everything shouts and sings for joy.

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Matthew 6:19-24
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Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth,
where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. 

 Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven,
where moths and rust cannot destroy,
and robbers cannot break in and steal. 

 For your heart will always be where your riches are. 

The eyes are like a lamp for the body.
If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light; 
 but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness.
So if the light in you is darkness, how terribly dark it will be! 

You cannot be a slave of two masters;
you will hate one and love the other;
you will be loyal to one and despise the other.

You cannot serve both God and money.