+ 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 105:1-10 NLT
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. He always stands by his covenant — the commitment he made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant….
Morning Reading: Galatians 3:14 NLT
Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.
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Prayer:
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.”
+ Faithful God: thank You for including me in the promise You made to Abraham and his descendants.
+ Thank You for adopting me into Your family through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ.
+ Thank You for blessing me with life abundant and eternal.
+ Thank You for filling me with Your Spirit.
“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.”
+ Gracious God: You welcome me into Your loving presence and desire more of me.
+ Fill me with awesome wonder at Your humility – coming to us as a child.
+ Fill me with awesome wonder at Your greatness – coming again to us in glory.
+ Fill me with the simple desire to linger in Your presence.
“He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land.”
+ Mighty God: You reign with wisdom, justice, power and love.
+ Rule this world – that Your people might safely live in peace and prosperity.
+ Rule this land – that righteousness might be rewarded and evil punished.
+ Rule my life – that I might love what You love and hate what You hate.
May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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“Give Thanks (Psalm 105)” – Sean Dayton
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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
Our time of waiting continues as we prepare a pathway for the Lord.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening Prayer:
God of our salvation, You straighten the winding ways of our hearts and smooth the paths made rough by sin. Make our conduct blameless, keep our hearts watchful in holiness, and bring to perfection the good You have begun in us. We ask 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: “Joy to the World (unspeakable Joy)” – Chris Tomlin
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A Reading from the Apocrypha: Baruch 5:1-9 (NRSVCE)
[Baruch looks to the day when God will guide all people, bringing them joy.]
Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God. Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God; put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting; for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven. For God will give you evermore the name, “Righteous Peace, Godly Glory.”
Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them. For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory, as on a royal throne. For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God. The woods and every fragrant tree have shaded Israel at God’s command. For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 126 (NLT)
When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
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“Shir Ha Ma’alot – Song of Ascents (Psalm 126)” – New Messianic Songs
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A Reading from the Letters: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 (NLT)
[Paul encourages the people of Philippi, and tells them to prepare inwardly for the ‘Day of Christ Jesus’.]
Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
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God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation — the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ — for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 3:1-6 (NLT)
[John the Baptist’s words and actions remind the people of Isaiah’s call to repentance.]
It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him! The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’”
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Hymn: “Prepare The Way” – Terry MacAlmon
Prepare the way | Make straight the path for Him | Let the King of Glory enter in | Let the King of Glory enter in
Who is this King of Glory? | The Lord, strong and mighty | The Lord mighty to save | The earth is full of His Glory | Creation calls: Prepare the way | His love endures forever | His power is without an end | His strength is victory present | Let all who call on Him | Prepare the way
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Intercessions:
Lord God: What amazing things You have done for us. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth in humility, may we also prepare for Christ’s return in glory. Lord, hear us.
+ Remember Your people and move with righteous power throughout the world – that all believers may walk safely in the glory of Your presence…. Lord, hear us.
+ Comfort Your people, especially those of us suffering from the death and destruction of terrorism – protect us and deliver us from evil…. Lord, hear us.
+ Raise up those of us who are burdened and weighed down by our troubles – that we may know with certainty that justice and righteousness will prevail when Christ returns…. Lord, hear us.
+ Make straight the twists and turns in our lives, smooth out the rough places – that we may be witnesses to the salvation in Christ that You have already sent us…. Lord, hear us.
+ Fill us with the knowledge and understanding of what really matters – that we live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return…. Lord, hear us.
+ Produce in us the fruit of Your salvation, the righteous character produced in our lives by Jesus Christ — that we may bring You much glory and praise.
+ Give us complete confidence – that You will finish in us the good work You have already begun when Christ Jesus returns…. Lord, hear us.
Everlasting God, Your kindness fills us with expectation. Lead us with joy, in the light of Your glory, with the mercy and righteousness that comes from You. Hear us and help us in our needs, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Everlasting God” (Chris Tomlin)
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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
+ 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: Genesis 17:1-8 NLT
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai — ‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”
At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!
“I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”
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Prayer:
El-Shaddai – ‘God Almighty – praise to You forever and ever! You are the Mighty One who made an everlasting covenant with father Abraham and today I stand before You as his spiritual descendant through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
+ Fill me with Your Spirit that I may serve You faithfully and live a blameless life.
+ Carry me through the darkness and guide me into the pure light of Christ.
+ Keep me focused on the victory over death and darkness that Christ has already won.
+ Give me clarity of purpose and certain faith in Christ’s coming in glory.
+ Number me among Your children – as an heir of the coming King.
Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who reigns with Your and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
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“Adonai El Shaddai ~ Lamb” – Joel Chernoff & Ted Pearce
We will lift you up, and praise Your Name | Adonai El Shaddai
We will lift you up, call on Your Name | Adonai El Shaddai
You carry me through the darkest night | Through the shadow of death into the light
You hold me up to help me see | The victory that comes by Your decree
O Praise the Lord, for now I see | And now I live, by Your love decree
Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down | Sometimes I just don’t feel Your love around | Then I hear Your voice, in the still of the night | Reminding me of Your great sacrifice | O Praise the Lord, for now I see | And now I live, by your Love decree
I was lookin for love, I was lookin for truth | Lookin for Yeshua’s love and life anew
I’m no more carried along by sin | But rid’ in a wave of love that never ends
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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
+ 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)
__________
Morning Reading: Genesis 12:1-3 NLT
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Morning Reading: Genesis 26:1-5 NLT
A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived.
The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you. Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I will be with you and bless you. I hereby confirm that I will give all these lands to you and your descendants, just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father. I will cause your descendants to become as numerous as the stars of the sky, and I will give them all these lands. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. I will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions.”
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Prayer:
Lord God: You called Abram to go, leave everything behind, and follow You to a new land.
+ Give me the courage and faith to leave the familiar behind and trust You for the unknown.
Lord God: You promised to reward Abram’s faithfulness by making him into a great nation.
+ Use my small acts of obedience and faithfulness to build Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Lord God: You blessed Abram and his descendants so that through them all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
+ Give me and my family a spirit of gratitude and generosity so that we may freely share our blessing with others.
Lord God: Your promises to Abram were contingent on his faithfulness and obedience.
+ Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and mind mind to apprehend how I can live for You today.
+ And give me the will to follow through, whatever it takes.
Through Jesus Christ – Your Son, my Savior – who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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“Made to live for You” – Sing Gloria (Romania, Believe 2015)
I was created for Your glory | Your glory | All of my days were made for You | Lord You have formed me and | You know me | You know me | Without You Lord what can I do
I was made to live for You | I was made to live for You | I was made to live for You | I was made to live for You
No matter where I go You see me | |You see me | Jesus You’re never far away | Help me to follow where | You lead me | You lead me | I open my heart to You today
Lord I give my life as a sacrifice for You | I give everything as an offering to You
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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
+ 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)
__________
Morning Reading: Genesis 9:8-17 NLT
Then God told Noah and his sons, “I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, and with all the animals that were on the boat with you — the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth. Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”
Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”
Morning Reading: Revelation 4:3 NLT
The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones — like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.
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Prayer:
Lord God: You have given us a sign in the heavens of Your life-saving promise for all to see.
+ Give me eyes to see beyond the fleeting problems of my day and into the everlasting promise of eternity.
+ Guide me as I travel through this wilderness and protect me in the storms that threaten to overwhelm me.
+ Stay with me on the journey and hold me close to Your heart for I am hopelessly lost without You.
Lord God: You have given me the promise of eternal life; fix my eyes on Your throne of grace and cover me with Your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
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“Revelation Song” – Gateway Worship
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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
The Peanut Gallery 