Month: May 2017

6th Sunday of Easter, 21 May – John 14:15-21 ~ I will come to you

Sixth Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Faithful God, who loves me in Christ Jesus, send your Spirit of truth to dwell within me, that I may always reject what is false, live by the commands of Christ, and be true to the love you have shown me. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
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“Spirit of God” – Phil Wickham


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Reading: John 14:15-21 (NLT)

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Heavenly Father:

You are the point of reference for all that Jesus says or does; in you, I find my meaning and purpose. You made me, loved me, and claimed me as your own, even before I was born. Thank you for receiving me into your presence.

Jesus Messiah, Son of the Living God:

Thank you for interceding for me before the Father. You have promised not to abandon me, not to leave me an orphan; you have promised that you will return for me and take me home – I wait for your return with confident hope.

You are the living One, the conqueror of death; you are in the Father and in me. You love me, as the Father loves me; and you have allowed me to experience your presence and life-changing power.

Holy Spirit:

You unite the Father and the Son; you create an indissoluble union of love, of being. You bring the Father and the Son into my heart and unite me with God’s love. Thank you for living within me.

You are the Spirit of truth; in you there is no deceit or falsehood, only the certain light of Christ. Stay with me as Counselor and Friend, as I wait for the Son’s return. Be my strength, my guide, my joy in this “already, not yet” time between times.

Merciful God:

Thank you for receiving me into your presence; thank you for your gracious help when I need it most. Strengthen me to do the work you have given me to do, to love and serve you as a faithful witness of Christ my Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
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“Come Holy Spirit” – Painted Christ in Norway UL 2014 Youth Camp


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 22 (NLT)

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, “Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!”

Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast. I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.

Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me. My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.

O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs. Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen.

I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.

I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you. The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.

Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, whose lives will end as dust. Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Saturday of 5th Week of Easter, 20 May – John 15:18-21 ~ not of this world

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord God; it is good to live in the friendship of your Son Jesus Christ. Remind me again that as his friend I am committed to him and share life with him – for better and for worse, in misunderstanding and contradiction, as well as in joy and intimacy. Help me to rejoice even when treated with indifference or ridicule on account of him, for it means that he is still with me who is my Lord for ever.

Reading: John 15:18-21 (NLT)

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”
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Reflection & Prayer: John 15:18-21 (NLT)

vs 18 – “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

Lord Jesus: You lived and radiated the love of God in a world driven by money, sex, and power. Your very presence precipitated a violent response from the entrenched forces of darkness. You brought real love into the world, and the world responded with hatred. Why should I expect less?

vs 19 – “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Lord Jesus: You chose me to live a separated life – in the world, but not of the world. I confess that the distinction has often been blurred for me. But, the older I get, the more I realize – this earth is not my home. Every day I feel more like an alien in a strange land.

vs 20 – “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

Lord Jesus: Give me ears to hear and a willing spirit to respond to your leading in my life. Make me a servant after your example that I may love others as you have loved me – regardless of how they respond.

vs 21 – “They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.

Lord Jesus: I confess that I’m afraid to take up my cross and follow you. The principalities and powers of this world killed you in three years after you revealed yourself as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. It’s true that you had the last word as the risen Christ; but I’m afraid of Good Friday.

Remind me again that nothing can separate me from your love and, come what may, you will never leave me or forsake me. Come Holy Spirit and fill my life with your presence and power that I may love and serve my Master to the glory of the Father.
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“Not of this world” – Petra


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Friday of 5th Week of Easter, 19 May – John 15:12-17 ~ chosen and appointed

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, loving Father, you have given us your Son Jesus Christ as the true vine of life and our source of strength. Help us to live his life as living branches attached to the vine, and to produce lasting fruit of justice, goodness and love. Let our union with him become visible in our openness to one another and in our unity as brothers and sisters, that he may be visibly present among us now and for ever.

Reading: John 15:12-17 (NLT)

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 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. This is my command: Love each other.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus: You have befriended me and commanded me to love others even as you have loved me.

+ Lord, you gave me your life; I give you mine as a living sacrifice. Help me to remain faithful, obedient, and true.

+ Lord, you commanded me to love others; help me to follow your example. Show me how I can give up myself for another today.

+ Lord, you revealed to me what was most personal and important to you; help me to become more transparent and trusting with those closest to me.

+ Lord, you chose me as your friend and appointed me as your emissary to make disciples. Help me to be a worthy example and witness of your Good News.

Lord Jesus: Fill me with your Spirit today, that I may be your friend in word and deed, and not in name only, to the glory of the Father. Amen.
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“Friend of God” – Phillips Craig & Dean


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 57:7-8 (NLT)

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Thursday of 5th Week of Easter, 18 May – John 15:9-11 ~ joy-filled obedience

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, you want your Church to be open to all persons and all nations, for your Son was available to all and you love all people. God, give us open minds and open hearts. Save us from our narrow prejudices and stop us from trying to create people in our own image and likeness. We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Reading: John 15:9-11 (NLT)

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
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Reflection & Prayer:

Heavenly Father: You loved me even before I knew you, and you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to prove the point; thank you for your loving-kindness to me.

Lord Jesus: You have given me the commandments to love God and to love one another; show me how you would have me keep these commandments that I may remain in your perfect love.

Holy Spirit: You remind me and teach me everything Jesus said and did; empower me to happily do what I know he wants me to do that I may overflow with his joy, and live securely in his love.

Soli Deo Gloria!
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“How He Loves Us” – John Mark McMillan


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 96:2-3 (NLT)

Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Wednesday of 5th Week of Easter, 17 May – John 15:1-8 ~ abide, remain, live, stay united… with me

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, loving Father, you have given us your Son Jesus Christ as the true vine of life and our source of strength. Help us to live his life as living branches attached to the vine, and to bear plenty of fruit of justice, goodness and love. Let our union with him become visible in our openness to one another and in our unity as brothers and sisters, that he may be visibly present among us now and for ever.

Reading: John 15:1-8 (NLT)

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Remain in me that I may bear good fruit and bring glory to the Father.

+ Purify my heart through your Word that I may abide in you.

+ Prune away what is dead that you may rise to life in me.

+ Produce new life in me through faithful obedience to your Word and Spirit.

Lord Jesus: I ask that I may become more like you to such an extent that those around me may see the change and give glory to the Father.

Soli Deo gloria!
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“The Deer’s Cry” – Rita Connolly at Powerscourt


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 96:1-2 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!