One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Morning Reading: Psalm 23 (NLT)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
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Morning Prayer
O Lord our God: In you we have all we need, for you have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Good Shepherd who blesses us –
+ with freedom from the fear of want
+ with enjoyment and contentment
+ with calm leadership in times of turmoil
+ with rest and refreshment of our souls
+ with guidance for living a godly life
+ with strength and courage in times of danger
+ with surety that he will never leave us
+ with surety of a full life, now and forever
O Lord our God: In you we have all we need, for you have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Good Shepherd. Amen.
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May the peace of the Lord 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.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Morning Reading: 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, all 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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Morning Prayer
O Lord our God: Break into the darkness of our suffering, and shine the light of a new glorious day – even as you raised your Son, Jesus Christ, from “man of sorrows” to “King of endless glory.”
Hear the cries of your people in great distress –
+ who pray to you without ceasing
+ who suffer derision and mocking
+ whose enemies plot their destruction
+ whose strength is exhausted
+ who feel abandoned and alone
Still, Lord, they hold onto you –
+ their hearts yearn for you
+ their hope for deliverance is in you
+ they trust in you to save them
O Lord our God: Your Son, Jesus Christ, understands their heartache and suffering –
+ He, too, asked, “My God, why have you abandoned me?”
+ He, too, experienced our human weakness and vulnerability
+ He, too, suffered reproach, scorn and treachery
+ He, too, experienced physical pain and suffering even unto death
O Lord our God: Pour out your Spirit on your suffering people –
+ Lead them out of their darkness into your glorious light
+ Comfort them now; relieve their pain and and heal their wounds
+ Fill them with the strength and power of your risen Son
+ Remind them of their eternal destiny of heavenly glory
O Lord our God: Turn the heartfelt cries of your people into songs of worship and joy, we ask through your Son, Jesus Christ, for the honor and glory of your Name. Amen.
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“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? (Psalm 22)” – Diocese of St. Benedict
May the peace of the Lord 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.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Morning Reading: Psalm 21 (NLT)
How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! He shouts with joy because you give him victory. For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested.
You welcomed him back with success and prosperity. You placed a crown of finest gold on his head. He asked you to preserve his life, and you granted his request. The days of his life stretch on forever. Your victory brings him great honor, and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty. You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.
You will capture all your enemies. Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you. You will throw them in a flaming furnace when you appear. The Lord will consume them in his anger; fire will devour them. You will wipe their children from the face of the earth; they will never have descendants. Although they plot against you, their evil schemes will never succeed. For they will turn and run when they see your arrows aimed at them. Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.
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Morning Prayer
King Jesus, Son of God: We rejoice in your victory over sin and death –
+ You are the Father’s beloved Son – in perfect accord with Him
+ You are the Father’s beloved Son – in complete surrender to Him
+ You are the Father’s beloved Son – the visible image of Him
King Jesus, Son of Man: You alone delivered us from sin –
+ The Father’s justice was your heart’s desire
+ The Father’s justice was your willing sacrifice
+ The Father’s justice was your gift to our broken world
Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory: Come to us in strength and power –
+ That all the powers of evil may be placed under your feet
+ That all opposition to your Kingdom may be overthrown
+ That all your people may joyously sing your praises, now and forever
Even so, come quickly, King Jesus. Amen.
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“Psalm 21 (Tune: Exultation)” – Free Church of Scotland
O LORD, in your strength how the king is exultant!
How great is his joy in the triumphs you bring!
To him you have granted his heart’s deepest longing;
you answered the plea from the lips of the king.
You welcomed him richly with blessings of goodness;
a crown of fine gold you have placed on his head.
He asked you for life, and you gave him it freely—
abundance of days, that his years should not end.
Through triumphs you gave his renown is exalted,
and you have bestowed on him splendour and grace.
You surely have granted him blessings eternal;
you filled him with joy by the light of your face.
For the king puts his trust in the LORD high above;
unshaken he stands through the LORD’s steadfast love.
Your hand will lay hold upon all your opponents;
your right hand will seize all the foes in your path.
You’ll set them ablaze with your glorious appearance;
you’ll swallow them up in the fire of your wrath.
From earth you will utterly wipe out their offspring.
They plot wicked schemes, but will never prevail.
Because when you aim with your bow at the ready
you’ll make them turn back and their courage will fail.
Be exalted, O LORD, in the strength of your arm;
we will praise your great might to the sound of a psalm.
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May the peace of the Lord 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!
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Morning Reading: Psalm 20 (NLT)
In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.
Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power. Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.
Give victory to our king, O Lord! Answer our cry for help.
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Morning Prayer
Sovereign Lord: Our nation is in trouble – we are a deeply divided people, without reason or common sense, without trust in you to hold us together. Use this time of strife to reveal our true character.
+ That we might be driven to seek your face, in prayer and practice
+ That we might be strengthened to persevere in our trials and distress
+ That we might be cheered by our trust in your gracious purpose for us
Sovereign Lord: Bring together people of faith and goodwill who will further your Kingdom purpose to help us become one people under your rule and reign.
+ That we might comfort and encourage one another
+ That we might worship you in Spirit and Truth – one God – Father, Son, and Spirit
+ That we might lead our nation into a season repentance and restoration
Sovereign Lord: Prepare your people for the coming victory of right over wrong and good over evil; prepare us for the coming of your Son in glory.
+ That we might sort out our priorities and first seek your everlasting Kingdom
+ That we might live confidently and joyfully – certain of your deliverance
+ That we might trust you to answer us and bring total victory
Sovereign Lord: Draw us close to you that we might join the heavenly chorus –
After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,
“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
and from the Lamb!”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God.
Revelation 7:9-11 (NLT)
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“Safe (Psalm 20)” – The Shiyr Poets
May the Lord answer you | When you are in distress
May the name of Jacob’s God keep you safe
May he send you his help | From Zion’s sacred place
May God remember every sacrifice
May he grant your heart’s desires
And may all your plans succeed
We’ll sing for joy in your victory
Our banners raise in the name of God
Of our God
Now I know the Lord will save | His anointed one
From his holy heaven he will answer him
Some they trust in chariots | In their military might
But we will trust in the name of God
Of our God
Some have stumbled and fallen
We rise we stand tall
Some have stumbled and fallen
We rise we stand tall
O Lord rescue the king | Your strong arm keep him safe
May you answer when we call upon your name
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress
May the name of Jacob’s God keep you safe
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May the peace of the Lord 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!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Compassionate God, from far and near you gather your people into one flock. Safeguard the unity of your flock through the teaching of Christ the Shepherd, that all your scattered children may find in him the guidance and nourishment they seek. We ask 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. Amen.
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“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”
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Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34 (NLT)
The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
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Prayers of Intercession:
Good Shepherd: Gather us into your fold, we need your protection and tender care. In your kindness, hear our prayers on behalf of your people –
+ For all who pastor your people – that they may be good shepherds after your example….
+ For all who care for animals – that they may be rewarded for their husbandry….
+ For all who feel lost – that you may find them, teach them, and lead them home….
+ For all who work hard in their parishes – that they make time for rest and recreation….
+ For all who help others to pray and reflect – that the Spirit may guide them into all truth….
+ For all who have asked our prayers – that our care may remind them of your love for them….
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may dwell in your presence forever….
O God, our Shepherd, your goodness and kindness help us every day: Hear our prayers and be with us in our needs, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Savior Like a Shepherd” – Fernando Ortega
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Blessing – Psalm 23:6
May your goodness and unfailing love pursue us all the days of our lives, and may we live in the house of the Lord forever.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 