+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. (Psalm 85:8a NLT)
Morning Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8 (NLT)
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.
I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.
Morning Prayer
By shedding his blood for us, Christ gathered together a new people from every corner of the earth. Lord, remember your people.
+ Christ, our king and redeemer: help us to know your power and your love.
+ Christ, our hope and courage: sustain us throughout the day.
+ Christ, our refuge and strength: fight with us against our weakness.
+ Christ, our joy and solace: stay with the poor and lonely.
Almighty God, grant that, living a life of integrity and holiness in this world, we may, through the power of your Word and Spirit at work in us, come to our true home in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“Be Not Afraid” – arr. Cat Jahnke
Blessing
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. (John 15:16)
Morning Reading: Galatians 1:11-24 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
Conversion of St. Paul Nicolas Bernard Lépicié, 1767
You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” And they praised God because of me.
Morning Prayer
Today, Lord, we celebrate the conversion of Saint Paul, your chosen vessel for carrying your name to the whole world. Help us to make our way towards you by following in his footsteps, and by witnessing to your truth before the men and women of our day. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“Send Me Lord”
Blessing
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5b-6)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Prayer for Christian Unity: With Christians all over the world, we ask God to give us the unity for which Christ prayed.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Lord God, whose compassion embraces all peoples, whose law is wisdom, freedom, and joy for the poor, fulfill in our midst your promise of favor, that we may receive the gospel of salvation with faith and, anointed by the Spirit, freely proclaim it. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
__________
Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation”
__________
A Reading from the Old Testament: Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10 (NLT)
[The Word of God proclaimed by Ezra the priest is so powerful that his listeners weep.]
So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
‘Ezra Reads the Law,’ from the Dura-Europos Synagogue, Damascus, Syria, third century. National Museum of Damascus, Syria/Zev Radovan/ Bridgeman Art Library
Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion….
_____
Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.
Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
_____
They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
__________
A Reading from Psalms: Psalm 19:8-10, 14 (NLT)
The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.
_____
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
__________
“Let the Words of My Mouth” – Fernando Ortega
__________
A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27 (NLT)
[Paul urges believers to use all their different gifts in service of the Church.]
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.
_____
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 (NLT)
[Jesus begins his preaching ministry.]
Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
_____
Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
__________
Hymn: “The Spirit of the Lord” – Graham Kendrick
__________
Intercessions:
Friends in Christ, let us come before the throne of grace with confidence that God loves us and is for us. Lord, hear our prayers.
+ That sincere conversations among men and women of different faiths may produce peace and justice…. Lord, hear us.
+ That, through the grace and work of the Holy Spirit, Christians may overcome divisions…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who listen attentively to God’s word may put it into practice…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who read God’s word aloud in worship may do so with reverence and love…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who gather to worship God today in many communities may be united in Spirit in the Church universal…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the sick and suffering may be healed, according to God’s will…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died in Christ, especially through war and violence, that God’s joy-filled promises to them may be realized…. Lord, hear us.
Your words are spirit, Lord and they are life; we rely on your help all our days. Let your grace continue to sustain us, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
Hymn: “In Christ Alone” – Church of God – acapella
Benediction:
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians3:15)
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Open my heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son.
Morning Reading: Romans 12:14-16 (NLT)
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Morning Prayer
God the Father has adopted us as brothers and sisters of his only Son, and through the ages has stayed with us and kept us in his love. Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for the needs of the world.
+ For all who plan and build in our cities – give them respect for every human life, may they work for the good of all.
+ Pour out your Spirit on artists, craftsmen, and musicians – may their work bring variety, joy, and inspiration to our lives.
+ Be with us as the cornerstone of all that we build – for we can do nothing well without your aid.
+ You have created us anew in the resurrection of your Son – give us the strength to create new life and hope in the world around us.
I praise you, O Lord, with voice and mind and deed; and since life itself is your gift, all I have and all I am are yours. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“Cornerstone” – Hillsong
Blessing
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Morning Reading: Ephesians 2:13-16(NLT)
But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
Crucified Jesus by Carole Foret
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
Morning Prayer
Father, we praise you for your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; through the Holy Spirit he offered himself in sacrifice to you, that we might be delivered from death and selfishness, and be free to live in your peace. Father, in your will is our peace.
+ We accept this new day as your gift, Lord; grant that we may live in newness of life.
+ You made all things, and keep all things in being; give us the insight to see your hand at work in them all.
+ Your Son sealed the new and everlasting covenant in his blood; help us to live by this covenant and honor it.
+ As Jesus died on the cross, blood and water flowed from his side; as we share in the Eucharist, pour out your Spirit upon us.
Praise to you, heavenly Father, in your will is our peace. Grant that in your kingdom, together with your saints, we may praise you with even greater joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“He Is Our Peace” – Maranatha Singers
Blessing
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 