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

Opening Sentence

I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.
I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.

I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.

Reading: Psalm 119:169-176 (NLT)

Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.

My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.

Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Reading: Nehemiah 8:12 (NLT)

And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

Reading: Philemon 4-7 (NLT)

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
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All Hallows Eve

Confession of Faith: Coming into the light – renewal of baptismal vows

I call all heaven to witness today that I have put on Christ.

I choose no other Lord than the Maker of heaven and earth.

This day I walk with Him and He will walk with me.

I fasten close to me this day that same Jesus who came to us as flesh and blood and was Himself baptized in the Jordan River.

He died upon a cross to rescue me, broke free from death, its conqueror. He left us, to return the more certainly. All these truths and their power I fasten close to me this day.

Resisting my own selfishness and sin, refusing to live as a slave to riches, pleasure or reputation, rejecting Satan and his lies, I call on heaven to witness today that I have put on Christ.
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“The Battle is Raging” – Laura Hackett

Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our sins | That He might deliver us from this present evil age…

For the battle is raging | The devil is raging | And I don’t want to be sleeping | While the battle is raging | For my spirit is willing | But my flesh gets tempted | Rise up, my soul, and start praying | ‘Cause I don’t want to be defenseless

I don’t fight as one beats the air | Give me eyes to see and ears to hear

I put on Christ | Make no provision for my flesh | Put on the whole armor of God | Leave no open door to darkness | And I take the scroll | I eat the scroll | I open up my mouth | And speak forth Your Word | And I take the Sword of the Spirit

I don’t fight as one beats the air | Give me eyes to see and ears to hear

Blessed be the Lord my Rock | Who trains my hands for battle | Who trains my hands for war

I don’t fight as one beats the air | I have eyes to see and ears to hear

It doesn’t have to be a blind battle | ‘Cause I have the mind of Christ

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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