Month: June 2019

Saturday Morning, 15 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 9:1-10 ~ Jesus provides free access to God

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading from the Book of Hebrews: Hebrews 9:1-10 (NLT)

Old Rules about Worship

That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.

This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.
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Morning Reflection:

By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed
that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open
as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.– Hebrews 9:8

Today’s reading continues the explanation of why the new covenant is superior to the old – specifically that, under the old covenant access was limited to God’s Presence (the Most Holy Place), and the sacrificial offerings were inadequate (required repetition). The Tabernacle is used as an illustration because of its association with the giving of the Old Covenant to Moses at Mount Sinai.

The point being made is that the old system of worship did not meet the deepest need of God’s people, i.e. an intimate personal relationship with God. Its rites and ceremonies extended mainly to external matters until God would provide a better system at “a time of reformation.”

Questions for consideration:

  • What’s the difference between approaching God, through ritual or relationship? Please explain.
  • What role does ritual have in your relationship with God? Please explain.
  • Do you consider yourself as having free access to God? Yes / No. Please explain.
  • Do you have a clear conscience, i.e. a conscience that is right with God? Please explain.
  • If you are not sure, please click here.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

 Heavenly Father: Make us one, across all denominational lines, in our mission to care for of widows and orphans, young and old, weak and ill, disabled and distressed. Pour out your Spirit and usher in a season of refreshment that provides new energy and clarity for all who labor to protect human life – from fertilization until natural death. I ask this in Jesus’ name, the Lord of Life. Amen.

Prayer for a Clear Conscience:

“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.” 

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“Take Me In” – Petra

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Closing:

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.

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

Friday Morning: 14 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 8:1-13 ~ Jesus ministers to us in heaven

Friday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 8:1-13 (NLT)

Christ Is Our High Priest

Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”

But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. But when God found fault with the people, he said:

“The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt. They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I turned my back on them, says the Lord. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus ministers to us in heaven

Here is the main point:
We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven.
There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle,
the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. – Hebrews 8:1-2

Today’s reading continues to make the case for the superiority of Jesus Christ as our High Priest under the new covenant that God has decreed. The new covenant has been established in heaven with Jesus seated by the throne of God – a place of worship, the Most Holy Place, unblemished by human involvement in its construction.

In this place of honor, Jesus ministers to us –

+ as our High Priest enthroned with God in heaven
+ as our High Priest in the real Tabernacle – the real Most Holy Place
+ as our High Priest in the real, eternal, presence of God

And how does this benefit us? Why is this ministry of Jesus under the new covenant a better way?

+ because under the new covenant – God lives in us
+ because under the new covenant – God empowers us to remain faithful
+ because under the new covenant – God gives us the desire to do his will
+ because under the new covenant – God establishes a privileged, unique relationship with himself
+ because under the new covenant – God permits us to know him directly
+ because under the new covenant – God makes a way for us to experience permanent forgiveness of our sins

Questions for consideration: As you review the benefits we receive from Jesus ministry to us –

  • What comes to mind when you think of Jesus seated in God’s presence? What does this mean for you? Please explain.
  • Which of the benefits listed above do you find most encouraging? Please explain.
  • Which of the benefits listed above are you least aware of in your every-day life? Please explain.
  • Which of the benefits listed above would you like to live into more? How could you do that? What would you like God to do? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for the older members of my family, and my family of faith. Help me to listen and learn from them, that I may grow in wisdom and understanding beyond my age. I pray, too, for all who are facing the limitations of aging, that they may be active in loving others and be filled with hope and encouragement. Thank you for those whom you have called to care for the elderly, equip them with the love and compassion of Jesus. It’s in his Name I ask it, Amen. 

Prayer for Knowing and Loving God:

O God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you: Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

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“Be Enthroned” – Bethel Music

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Closing:

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.

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

Thursday Morning: 13 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 7:11-28 ~ Jesus guarantees God’s covenant

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 7:11-28 (NLT)

So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?

And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe.

Jesus Is like Melchizedek

This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him,

“The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’”

Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.

There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.
– Hebrews 7:22

In today’s reading, we are introduced to God’s new (better) covenant with Jesus as the guarantor.

The particular word the writer chose to use for covenant conveys the idea of God’s absolute will, e.g. a last will and testament, rather than an agreement between two equal parties, e.g. marriage. It’s a one-sided declaration, rather than a negotiation; and God has appointed his Son, backed by God’s sworn oath, to be its underwriter.

So let’s look at why God appointed Jesus as our High Priest forever –

  • Jesus offered himself, once and for all, as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
  • Jesus’ sacrifice is one of a kind because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin.
  • Jesus has been set apart from sinners, and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.
  • Jesus’ priesthood saves, once and forever, those who come to God through him.
  • Jesus’ priesthood continues forever to intercede with God on our behalf.
  • Jesus’ priesthood lasts forever, because Jesus lives forever.

Questions for consideration:

  • In what way is the new covenant better than the old covenant? Please explain.
  • What do the expressions “once and for all, once and forever” mean to you? How do they relate to your every-day life? Please explain.
  • Since Jesus is continually interceding for you, where do you need his help today? Please explain.
  • How often do you receive the Lord’s Supper in your tradition? Why? Please explain.
  • Have you experienced God’s grace through receiving Communion? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Gracious God: Thank you for the blessing of our children and the hope they give for the future of our faith. Watch over them and protect them. Thank you for placing them in believing families and faith communities where they can be nurtured by your Word and Spirit and grow into the faith-filled future you prepared for them even before they were born. Help them to find their place in your family, that they may love and serve you to the glory of your name. I ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer of Consecration (Preface): Anglican Church in North America

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and when we had sinned against you and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent your only Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation. By the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary he became flesh and dwelt among us. In obedience to your will, he stretched out his arms upon the Cross and offered himself once for all, that by his suffering and death we might be saved. By his resurrection he broke the bonds of death, trampling Hell and Satan under his feet. As our great high priest, he ascended to your right hand in glory, that we might come with confidence before the throne of grace….

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“Come To The Table” – Sidewalk Prophets

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Closing:

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.

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

Wednesday Morning: 12 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 7:1-10 ~ Jesus has the power to bless us.

Wednesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 7:1-10 (NLT)

Melchizedek Is Greater Than Abraham

This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.

The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus has the power to bless us.

Without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing
is greater than the one who is blessed.
– Hebrews 7:7

Today’s reading continues to make the case for the superiority of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest – superior to Abraham, superior to the Levitical priests, and superior even to the priesthood of Melchizedek ( vs 1-10). Why is Melchizedek important? Because Melchizedek was a prototype of Christ – both priest and king, characterized by righteousness and peace. And Melchizedek was superior to Abraham whom he blessed, and from whom he received tithes.

The point being made in vs 7 is that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham (the father of all nations) because the greater one blesses the lesser one. And by extension of that reasoning, Jesus Christ is greater than Melchizedek and, therefore, has the power to bless us.

The greatness of Jesus as our High Priest will be developed in later readings, but let’s stop and consider the blessings we receive from Jesus now –

+ a new covenant – which offers us the blessing of a rich, satisfying life now and forever.
+ a new refuge –  which offers us the blessing of sanctuary in the presence of God now and forever.
+ a new sacrifice – which offers us the blessing of sins forgiven once and for all, and peace with God.
+ a new mediator – which offers us the blessing of an ongoing intercessor and advocate before God.
+ a new spirit – which offers us the blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit, his guidance and power.
+ a new heart – which offers us the blessing of loving as God loves, with the heart of Jesus.

In the midst of all the pressures we face in life, we have a High Priest who blesses us – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Questions for consideration:

  • When you think of priests and the priesthood, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • How do you understand the priesthood of all believers? What does that mean to you? Please explain.
  • What makes the priesthood of Jesus superior to all others? Please explain.
  • Where specifically do you need Jesus to bless you right now? Have you asked him? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: 

Life Support Prayer:

Our Father: Thank you for our earthly fathers – may they be indwelt by Christ Jesus, rooted and grounded in his love, and strengthened with his strength. Raise up believing fathers everywhere to take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their children – may they protect them from the wiles and deceit of the evil one, may they teach them that your ways lead to a full, satisfying life, and may their children never know a day apart from you. I ask this in Jesus’ name, and for the good of believing families everywhere. Amen.

Prayer of Praise and For The Lord’s Blessings – By Natadia Lezama

Heavenly Father, we come to You this morning to give You all the praise and honor that is due You alone. Thank You Lord, for Your goodness towards us all.

Father, let Your presence be felt in our lives today. We give You all our cares and burdens and we trust that You will take care of us.

Help us, Lord, to keep our minds and hearts focused on You today, so we will be able to receive Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Today, we choose joy despite what may be going on in our lives. Lord, strengthen us in Your power and might so that we may be a blessing to others who are hurting.

I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“I Need Thee Every Hour” – the Mennonite Hour Singers

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Closing:

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.

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

Tuesday Morning: 11 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 6:1-20 ~ Jesus secures the anchor for our souls.

Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 6:1-20 (NLT)

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come — and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

God’s Promises Bring Hope

For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus secures the anchor for our souls.

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
– Hebrews 6:19

In today’s reading we are assured that God is trustworthy (God cannot lie), and that he has given us both his promise and his oath – therefore, we can confidently hold on to the hope God has given us – secure in Jesus’ priestly ministry – which then is the strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

When Jesus entered heaven at his ascension, he took our hope of future reward with him. Now, seated at the right hand of God, we have a secure anchor for our souls in the very presence of God. It’s our hope in Christ that keeps us from drifting away from God. Jesus secures the anchor for our souls – the hope that is the steadying force of our entire lives.

Questions for consideration:

  • When you think of God as a Promise-Keeper, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • When you think of something that seems hopeless, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • How is your hope in Jesus Christ a refuge for you in a time of trouble? Please explain.
  • What can you do to draw closer to Jesus – the steadying force of your life? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life-Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: I pray for all couples who desperately want to have a child but have not conceived – that they will trust you to build their family in your way and on your schedule, and that they make decisions that honor you who creates and sustains life. And I pray that they may have the love and support of their worshiping communities as they wait on you. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer for Hope and Strength:

Heavenly Father: Your hope arises with each dawn, pushing back the rubble of our lives. Each new day reminds us of your grace; you paint hope across the skies. Into the deafening cry of hopelessness you whisper love. Love that catches us, holds us. There is no end, just new beginnings. No finish, just new starts.

Lord Jesus: Into your resurrection we follow you to bathe in hope. You are alive! Not only in the world but in us. And so we carry your hope within our souls. Help us to lift our eyes, and feel your resurrection hope arise in our lives.

We ask this in Jesus’ name, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all to your glory Heavenly Father. Amen

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“In Christ Alone” – Adrienne Liesching and Geoff Moore

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Closing:

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.

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