+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
This day is Your gift to me;
I take it, Lord, from Your hand
and thank You for the wonder of it.
__________
Reading: Psalm 119:165 (NLT)
Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
__________
Reading: Proverbs 28:10 (NLT)
Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things.
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Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
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Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ: Thank you for all you have given me; bless me and lead me through the day.
+ You are gentle and humble of heart: teach me to receive others as you did.
+ You are the light of the world; fill me with your light and life.
+ You are compassionate and kind: fill me with your mercy for the sick and troubled.
+ You were tempted in all things, yet did not sin; lead me in your righteousness.
Almighty, ever-living God, hear my prayer: dispel from my heart the darkness of sin, and draw me to the true light, Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________
“Lead Me Lord” – Cathedral Choir – Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels
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Blessing
On the path that is before you, may you have companions on the journey, may you find Christ in the stranger, and may you know the love and blessing of God.
+ 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
This day is Your gift to me;
I take it, Lord, from Your hand
and thank You for the wonder of it.
__________
Reading: Psalm 34:4-5 (NLT)
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
__________
Reading: Isaiah 60:1-3 (NLT)
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.”
__________
Reading: Romans 8:27-28 (NLT)
And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
__________
Prayer:
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
+ The Lord has answered me when I cried out to Him
+ The Lord has loved me and freed me from my fears
+ The Lord has delivered me from shame and filled me with joy
+ The Lord has displayed His glory in a world shrouded in darkness
Heavenly Father: Conform the desires of my heart to Your will and purpose, and fill me with radiant joy, through the transforming power of Your Spirit – who lives and reigns with You and Your Son, Jesus Christ, One God, forever. Amen.
__________
““We Found Love” – Lindsey Stirling
__________
Blessing
On the path that is before you, may you have companions on the journey, may you find Christ in the stranger, and may you know the love and blessing of God.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Peanut Gallery: Please pray for these women – truly victims of an evil cult. Their tragic story is told in the article from Aleteia posted below.
Merciful God: Deliver these women from evil and restore their dignity and health. Set them free from the bondage of shame. Create in them clean hearts, and give them new lives filled with peace and joy. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
__________
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
This day is Your gift to me;
I take it, Lord, from Your hand
and thank You for the wonder of it.
__________
Reading: Psalm 103:8-14 (NLT)
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
__________
Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NLT)
The Lord gave me this message:
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
“O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,
“Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”
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Reading: Luke 15:17-24 (NLT)
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
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Prayer:
Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
+ Lord: You are compassionate and merciful; You do not punish me as I deserve
+ Lord: Your unfailing love and forgiveness is limitless for those who fear and honor You
Sovereign Lord: put Your words in my mouth; stay with me and protect me.
+ Show me when to uproot and tear down – false gods and ideologies
+ Show me when to build up and plant – righteousness and justice
Merciful Father: Make me painfully aware of my sins against You and those You love.
+ Remind me that I am the prodigal son and the older brother all rolled into one
+ Humble me before Your throne of grace and strip away any illusions of worthiness
Mighty God: You know how weak I am, and You have numbered my days. Extend Your saving love towards me and my children’s children. May we remain faithful to Your covenant and obedient to Your word. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
__________
“Loving and Forgiving” – Scott Soper
__________
Blessing
On the path that is before you, may you have companions on the journey, may you find Christ in the stranger, and may you know the love and blessing of God.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 