Month: December 2015

Advent Daily Prayer: 17 December – Ezekiel 34:20-24 ~ I will rescue my flock

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Ezekiel 34:20-24 NLT

Lamb newborn

“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep. For you fat sheep pushed and butted and crowded my sick and hungry flock until you scattered them to distant lands. So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!
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Prayer:

Shepherd King: Rescue Your flock and lead us to safety.

+ Good Shepherd: You provide for all my needs – may I remain healthy and lean that the hungry may be fed.
+ Good Shepherd: You provide me with rest and refreshment – may I remain in Your presence and be strengthened.
+ Good Shepherd: You guide me along paths that honor You – may I be attune to Your voice and follow You.
+ Good Shepherd: You protect and comfort me in dark times – may I fearlessly trust You with my life.
+ Good Shepherd: You honor me and welcome me to Your table – may I receive with joy Your cup of blessing.

Shepherd King: Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in Your house forever. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever.
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“The Shepherds’ Farewell” – King”s College Cambridge

Thou must leave Thy lowly dwelling, The humble crib, the stable bare. Babe, all mortal babes excelling, Content our earthly lot to share. Loving father, Loving mother, Shelter Thee with tender care!

Blessed Jesus, we implore Thee With humble love and holy fear. In the land that lies before Thee, Forget not us who linger here! May the shepherd’s lowly calling, Ever to Thy heart be dear!

Blest are ye beyond all measure, Thou happy father, mother mild! Guard ye well your heav’nly treasure, The Prince of Peace, The Holy Child! God go with you, God protect you, Guide you safely through the wild!
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Advent Daily Prayer: 16 December – Isaiah 9:6-7 ~ a son is given to us

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT

A-Child-is-Born

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
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Prayer:

Christ Jesus: May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

+ Everlasting Father – work out Your Kingdom plan and purpose for us in Your own way and time; our hope is in You.
+ Wonderful Counselor – rule in us with fairness and justice that righteousness may be vindicated and evil overcome.
+ Prince of Peace – rule in us with never-ending peace that we may experience contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.
+ Mighty God – employ all the power of Heaven’s Armies that Your Kingdom may be established among us now in these times of distress and fear.

Christ Jesus, Light of the world – shine in our darkness and may all who love You love Your Light.
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“Kerstnacht 2014: For Unto Us A Child Is Born – JV Maranatha”

Distressed and hungry they will look toward the earth and see distress and darkness and a desperate gloom of fear. The land of Zebulun He humbled and the land of Naphtali, though in the future He will honor Galilee. But nevertheless, on those living in the land of darkness a light has dawned. And happiness and joy will fill their hearts.

For unto us a Child is born, For unto us a Son is given And the government shall be upon His shoulder.

Be broken all you enemies! Strap on your armor and be shattered, speak a word but God shall be with us! Take notice oppressed, on those living in the land of darkness a light has dawned. And happiness and joy will fill their hearts.

For unto us a Child is born, For unto us a Son is given And the government shall be upon His shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

For unto us a Child is born, For unto us a Son is given And the government shall be upon His shoulder.
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Advent Daily Prayer: 15 December – Psalm 89:1-4 ~ kings forever

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Psalm 89:1-4 NLT

Russian icon of St. David, the Prophet and King, 18th century (iconostasis of Kizhi monastery)
Russian icon of St. David, the Prophet and King, 18th century (iconostasis of Kizhi monastery)

I will sing of the lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

The lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”
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Prayer:

Gracious God: Thank You for Your unfailing love and faithfulness revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

+ Make Your home in my heart – that I may be rooted in Your love.
+ Fulfill Your requirements in me – that I may do no wrong to others.
+ Strengthen my faith in Christ – that I may love Your people everywhere.
+ Fill me with Godly compassion – that I may generously respond to people in need.

Thank You, Father, for calling me Your child – may I begin to understand the depth of Your love for me and live as a royal heir of my King. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever faithful. Amen.
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“Once in Royal David’s City”


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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Advent Daily Prayer: 14 December – Acts 3:17-26 ~ a season for refreshment

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Acts 3:17-26 NLT

Times-of-refreshing

“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah — that he must suffer these things. Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’

“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”
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Prayer:

Mighty and Everlasting God: Send us a season of refreshment; fill the whole world with the glory of Your presence.

+ We turn away from the sin and death that has corrupted our world and co-opted our participation. Forgive us Lord.
+ We turn to You today to linger in Your presence and be filled with Your Spirit. Show us Your glory, Lord.
+ Shape the way we think, they way we feel, the way we act by Your Word. Write Your Word on our hearts, Lord.
+ Live and move in us today for apart from You we can do no good thing. Examine our hearts, Lord.
+ Give us a willing and humble spirit that is ready to love and serve You. Lead on, Lord.

Restore us, refresh us, we pray – through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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“Immanuel” – Songs Of Praise


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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

3rd Sunday of Advent, 13 December: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18 ~ Cheer up! He’s living among us.

Third Sunday of Advent

Traditionally, today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing.’ The reason for celebration is that the day of the Lord’s coming is nearer.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening Prayer:

Almighty God, You sent your Son into a world where the wheat must be winnowed from the chaff and evil clings even to what is good. Let the fire of Your Spirit purify our hearts and consecrate our lives so that we may find our peace in You and You may delight in us. Grant this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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Hymn: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” – Enya


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A Reading from the Old Testament: Zephaniah 3:14-18a (NLT)
[Zephaniah appeals for joy. The Lord is in the midst of the people, so there is no need for fear.]

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.

On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

“I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more.
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A Reading of a Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6 (NLT)

See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! In that wonderful day you will sing: “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is! Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world. Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”
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“Made me glad” – Hillsong


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A Reading from the Letters: Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT)
[Be happy, says Paul, and be considerate: the Lord is very near.]

Rejoice-Always-428x265

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 3:10-18 (NLT)
[John the Baptist announces the Good News, and declares he is not the Messiah.]

St. John the Baptist Preaching Mattia Preti, c. 1665 Museum of Fine Arts, San Francisco
St. John the Baptist Preaching
Mattia Preti, c. 1665
Museum of Fine Arts, San Francisco

The crowds asked, “What should we do?”

John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

“What should we do?” asked some soldiers.

John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.
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Hymn: “God is the strength of my heart”


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Intercessions:

Lord God: You are our strength and our salvation – hear our prayers.

+ For all who follow Christ – that we may have joy as we prepare for the Lord’s coming…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who suffer from hunger and want – that we may generously share what we have…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all whose hearts are broken – that we may remember them and befriend them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For refugees and all who are far from home – that they find comfort and peace at Christmas…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those suffering from the devastation of terrorism – that they may find strength and courage in You, God…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those we love and people who are in any kind of need – that You, God, may be with them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died in Christ – that the peace and joy of eternal life may be theirs…. Lord, hear us.

God our Savior, we rejoice in Your mighty deeds, help us now through these troubled times, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Gaudete” – Steeleye Span


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Benediction:

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen