Month: September 2018

Praying the Psalms: Mon, 10 Sep – Psalm 62 ~ I wait quietly before God

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 62 (NLT)

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

So many enemies against one man—all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Interlude

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude

Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.

Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.

God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You alone are the Rock of our Salvation; we palce our trust in you alone –

+ Forgive us for trusting in other people…
+ Forgive us for trusting in our national leaders…
+ Forgive us for trusting in worldly wisdom…
+ Forgive us for trusting in our wealth…

O Lord our God: You alone are trustworthy and faithful in every circumstance –

+ You alone inspire confidence and hope…
+ You alone watch over us in times of prosperity and adversity…
+ You alone understand the workings of our hearts…
+ You alone hear our prayers and respond with mercy and loving-kindness…

O Lord our God: We take comfort and rejoice in your goodness in times of abundance and plenty; make us just as steadfast in joy during times of want, deprivation, and disaster. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“My Soul Finds Rest In God Alone” (Psalm 62) – Aaron Keyes


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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!

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – 09 Sep – ears to hear

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of power and compassion, in Christ you reveal your will to heal and to save. Open our ears to your redeeming word and move our hearts by the strength of your love, so that our every word and work may proclaim as Messiah Jesus the Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“What Joy” (Psalm 146) – Sarah Emerson


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Gospel Reading: Mark 7:31-37 (NLT)

Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.

Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!

Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

God of power and compassion, you raise up those who are bowed down; our confidence is in you as we bring forward our prayers –

+ For believers gathered together around the world — that all may be welcomed without distinction…
+ For believers gathered together around the world — that we may work to end discrimination and division…
+ For people with difficulties with language and speech — that patient, believing friends may encourage them…
+ For those who cannot hear well — that patient, believing friends may be sensitive to their needs…
+ For an end to the war in Syria – that believers may return and rebuild their broken country…
+ For those who are dislocated and dispossessed – that believers may offer refuge and comfort…
+ For those who have died in Christ, especially through war and violence – that they may rest safely in your presence forever…

Healing God, you pour out your love on those who cry to you for help; raise us up by your grace and support us in our needs, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Isaiah 35” – Vinesong


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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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

Praying the Psalms: Sat, 08 Sep – Psalm 61 ~ lead me to the towering rock of safety

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 61 (NLT)

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!    Interlude

For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name. Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations! May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him. Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Hear the cries of your people throughout the world – those who are overwhelmed by pain and suffering. You alone are their shield and defender –

+ those who are isolated from friends and family…
+ those who are held captive with no way of escape…
+ Those who are dislocated and dispossessed…
+ those who have trusted in you for safety…
+ those who have experienced your mercy in the past…
+ those who have experienced your deliverance in the past…

O Lord our God: You have made covenant with your people through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. We trust in your promise of life abundant and eternal. Pour out your Spirit of mercy and truth that all your people may live safely in your presence – in Jesus’ name we ask it. Amen.
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“Psalm 61” – Terry Clark


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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!

Praying the Psalms: Fri, 07 Sep – Psalm 60 ~ restore us to your favor

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 60 (NLT)

You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses. You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor. You have shaken our land and split it open. Seal the cracks, for the land trembles. You have been very hard on us, making us drink wine that sent us reeling. But you have raised a banner for those who fear you— a rallying point in the face of attack. Interlude

Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power. God has promised this by his holiness: “I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh, too. Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors, and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings. But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia.”

Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom? Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies? Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You are sovereign over the heights and depths of our lives. Raise up your people who find themselves in the depths of despondency –

+ Fix our minds on all that is good and true, instead of our troubles…
+ Fix our minds on sins forgiven, instead of past guilt past…
+ Fix our minds on your faithfulness to your promises..
+ Fix our minds on your readiness to show mercy over judgement…
+ Fix our minds on your banner of love, Christ crucified…

O Lord our God: Our hope is in you alone through faith in your Son Jesus Christ. Raise us with him from despondency to victory through your loving-kindness and for your glory. Amen.
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“O God, Thou hast rejected us” (Psalm 60) – Scottish Psalter, 1615

O God, Thou hast rejected us, And hast afflicted sore;
Thou hast been angry, but in grace| O once again restore.

Lo, Thou hast torn and rent our land, Thy judgments dread appall;
O heal her shattered strength before | She totter to her fall.

Thro’ ways of trial and distress | Thy people Thou hast led,
A bitter cup Thou givest us | Of misery and dread.

A glorious banner Thou hast given | To those who fear Thy Name,
A banner to display abroad, And thus the truth proclaim.

Give Thou Thy help against the foe, For help of man is vain;
Through God we shall do valiantly, The victory He shall gain.
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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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!

Praying the Psalms: Thu, 06 Sep – Psalm 59 ~ deliver us

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 59 (NLT)

Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me. Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers. They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord, though I have not sinned or offended them. I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me! O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors. Interlude

They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer. But Lord, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations. You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress. In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.

Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield. Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies. Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel. Interlude

My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied.

But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Deliver us from evil and the wiles and deceit of evil people. Civil discourse and debate has broken down and wicked people seek to destroy our duly elected president –

+ they hate him with a deadly hatred…
+ they hate him because he was elected…
+ they hate him with a furious rage…
+ they hate him with malignant slander…
+ they hate him with relentless effort…
+ they hate him with deceit and cunning…

O Lord  our God: Raise up people of faith and goodwill who can move us forward as a nation and help us become one people under God –

+ restore our civil and moral order…
+ reconcile us in Christ, to you and one another…

O Lord our God: Your sovereign hand has brought us to “such a time as this.” Work your will through the chaos and wickedness of these times. And bring our nation to a place where “every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,” all to your glory. Amen.
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“Psalm 59” (Deliver Me) – Bob Carlisle

Deliver me Deliver me | Oh God, from my enemies
Deliver me Deliver me | Oh God, from my enemies

They lie in wait for my life
The mighty are gathered against me
Prowling the night just like dogs
All through the streets of the city
I am not guilty of sin
Lord, Look down from on high
And come to my defense

Deliver me Deliver me | Oh God, from my enemies
Deliver me Deliver me | Oh God, from my enemies

They speak with curses and lies
Plotting their evil against me
Let them be caught in their pride
In anger consume them completely
Lord, I am so overwhelmed
Bring them down to their knees
Arise to my help

Deliver me Deliver me | Oh God, from my enemies
Deliver me Deliver me | Oh God, from my enemies
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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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!