Month: July 2020

Tuesday Morning Prayer: 21 Jul 2020 – Psalm 130, Jonah 3:5-7, 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 ~ sorry enough to be saved

Tuesday Morning Prayer, 21 Jul 2020

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

Opening:*

Most powerful Holy Spirit, come down upon us and subdue us.
From heaven, where the ordinary is made glorious, and glory seems but ordinary,
Bathe us with the brilliance of Your light like dew.

Believer, hold Him high that all may see the light of Jesus in a son of man.  “Aidan”

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 130

Trusting the Lord in Times of Trouble

From a sea of troubles I call out to you, Lord.
Won’t you please listen as I beg for mercy?

If you kept record of our sins, no one could last long.
But you forgive us, and so we will worship you.

With all my heart, I am waiting, Lord, for you!
I trust your promises.
I wait for you more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn.
Yes, I wait more eagerly than a soldier on guard duty waits for the dawn.

Israel, trust the Lord!
He is always merciful, and he has the power to save you.
Israel, the Lord will save you from all of your sins.

Jonah 3:5-7

They believed God’s message and set a time when they would go without eating to show their sorrow. Then everyone in the city, no matter who they were, dressed in sackcloth.

When the king of Nineveh heard what was happening, he also dressed in sackcloth; he left the royal palace and sat in dust. Then he and his officials sent out an order for everyone in the city to obey. It said:

None of you or your animals may eat or drink a thing. Each of you must wear sackcloth, and you must even put sackcloth on your animals.

You must also pray to the Lord God with all your heart and stop being sinful and cruel. Maybe God will change his mind and have mercy on us, so we won’t be destroyed.

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

I don’t feel bad anymore, even though my letter hurt your feelings. I did feel bad at first, but I don’t now. I know that the letter hurt you for a while. Now I am happy, but not because I hurt your feelings. It is because God used your hurt feelings to make you turn back to him, and none of you were harmed by us. When God makes you feel sorry enough to turn to him and be saved, you don’t have anything to feel bad about. But when this world makes you feel sorry, it can cause your death.
__________

Reflection**

In my dream, behold I saw a man clothed in rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the book, and read therein, and as he read he wept and trembled… (John Bunyan)

As Christian walked on he came to a hill which grew steeper and steeper. The load on his back was very heavy as he climbed. Near the top there was a cross, and just as Christian came to the cross his burden fell from his back. It rolled and tumbled down the hill until it fell into a dark hole, and he saw it no more. (John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress)

Prayer of Repentance & Restoration: By Cheryce Rampersad

Dear God, I humbly come before You in total appreciation for all that You have done for me. Jesus, thank You for dying on that cross so that I can be reconciled back to the Father and be set free from bondage and sin.

Thank You for enduring so much suffering on my behalf. I pray that I may have the same kind of strength to endure life for Your sake. You died and rose again so I can live for You.

Repentance:
I repent, Oh Lord my God, of all iniquities. I have been led astray, but now I renounce iniquity.

Wash me in your cleansing blood, purify my soul. Strip me of anything displeasing to You, that’s against Your Holiness.

I declare my heart and my mind are clean and pure! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen and Amen!

Forgiveness:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your word in 1 John 1:9 that declares If we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Merciful and Loving Father, I thank you for the blood of Jesus that was shed for me to have the right to come before your throne of grace and plead my case for the forgiveness of my sins. Through your son, I have forgiveness. Thank you, Lord, Amen.

__________

From The Depths of Woe – Indelible Grace

Closing

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.

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 38-45). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.
** Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 13084-13095). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Monday Morning Prayer: 20 Jul 2020 – Psalm 129, Esther 3:13, 4:7, 8:6, Matthew 25:35-37 ~ Kingdom vision

Monday Morning Prayer, 20 Jul 2020

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

Opening:*

Most powerful Holy Spirit, come down upon us and subdue us.
From heaven, where the ordinary is made glorious, and glory seems but ordinary,
Bathe us with the brilliance of Your light like dew.

Believer, hold Him high that all may see the light of Jesus in a son of man.  “Aidan”

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 129

A Prayer for Protection

Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked!

Let everyone in Israel say:
“Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked!
But they have not defeated me, though my back is like a field that has just been plowed.”

The Lord always does right, and he has set me free from the ropes of those cruel people.
I pray that all who hate the city of Zion will be made ashamed and forced to turn and run.
May they be like grass on the flat roof of a house, grass that dries up as soon as it sprouts.
Don’t let them be like wheat gathered in bundles. And don’t let anyone who passes by say to them, “The Lord bless you! I give you my blessing in the name of the Lord.”

Esther 3:13, 4:7, 8:6

The letters were taken by messengers to every part of the kingdom, and this is what was said in the letters: On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, all Jewish men, women, and children are to be killed. And their property is to be taken.
_____

Mordecai told him everything that had happened. He also told him how much money Haman had promised to add to the king’s treasury, if all the Jews were killed.
_____

I can’t bear to see my people and my own relatives destroyed.”

Matthew 25:35-37

When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”

Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink?

Prayer: You offer us the Kingdom* by by Christine Jerrett

We name you gracious Master and our God,
Great Redeemer and King.
You offer us the kingdom, Lord Jesus;
a realm where the hungry are fed,
the thirsty are given something to drink;
and the homeless are housed,

You offer us a realm where
those who are shivering are clothed,
the sick are visited,
those in prison hear good news.

We wonder how we are to receive such a gift:
Will you require of us more than what we are already doing?
Will you judge us for
what we have done and what we have left undone?
Will you leave us out of your community of salvation?

In your great love and mercy,
move us beyond fear;
move us beyond guilt;
move us beyond our anxious worry.
Move us deeper into your surprising grace;
Heal the blindness that does not see you
when you come to us in distressing disguise.

Set us free from serving lesser gods.

Most of all, form in us the mind of Christ,
so that we see the world through your eyes,
so that our hearts are broken by the things
that break your heart, and
so that we delight in the things that delight you,
and you create in us courage enough not to duck.

We ask in your life-giving name.

__________

Waltraud Rennebaum – Shir ha Ma’alot: Adonai tzadik – Psalm 129 (Song of Ascents)

Closing

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.

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 38-45). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19 Jul 2020 – Jeremiah 20:7-13, Matthew 10:16-33, Romans 5:15-19, ~ Don’t be afraid of anyone!

The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Everyone will hate you because of me.
But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved.”

__________

Shout For Joy (Psalm 100) – North Central University Worship Live

__________

Collect for Purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 20:7-13 (CEV)

Jeremiah Complains to the Lord

You tricked me, Lord, and I was really fooled. You are stronger than I am, and you have defeated me. People never stop sneering
and insulting me. You have let me announce only destruction and death. Your message has brought me nothing but insults and trouble. Sometimes I tell myself not to think about you, Lord, or even mention your name. But your message burns in my heart and bones, and I cannot keep silent.

I heard the crowds whisper, “Everyone is afraid. Now’s our chance to accuse Jeremiah!” All of my so-called friends are just waiting for me to make a mistake. They say, “Maybe Jeremiah can be tricked. Then we can overpower him and get even at last.”

But you, Lord, are a mighty soldier, standing at my side. Those troublemakers will fall down and fail—terribly embarrassed, forever ashamed.

Lord All-Powerful, you test those who do right, and you know every heart and mind. I have told you my complaints, so let me watch you take revenge on my enemies. I sing praises to you, Lord. You rescue the oppressed from the wicked.
__________

Afraid – Tenth Avenue North

__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 9:35-10:15 (CEV)

Warning about Trouble

I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves. Watch out for people who will take you to court and have you beaten in their meeting places. Because of me, you will be dragged before rulers and kings to tell them and the Gentiles about your faith. But when someone arrests you, don’t worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the words to say. But you will not really be the one speaking. The Spirit from your Father will tell you what to say.

Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. Everyone will hate you because of me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved. When people mistreat you in one town, hurry to another one. I promise you that before you have gone to all the towns of Israel, the Son of Man will come.

Disciples are not better than their teacher, and slaves are not better than their master. It is enough for disciples to be like their teacher and for slaves to be like their master. If people call the head of the family Satan, what will they say about the rest of the family?

The One To Fear

Don’t be afraid of anyone! Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you. Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Telling Others about Christ

If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don’t belong to me.
__________

God of Mercy and Compassion – by Giovanni Pergolosi (France) and I. D. Riverson (Ghana).

__________

Pastoral Prayer:

Almighty and everliving God: hear our prayers –

+ Grant that all who confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

+ Grant that we may hear and receive your holy Word, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.

+ Grant that our government may impartially administer justice, uphold integrity and truth, restrain wickedness and vice, and protect true religion and virtue.

+ Empower us to fulfill your great commission, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that you have commanded.

+ Comfort and sustain all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, especially those suffering the effects of the pandemic.

Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
__________

Giants Fall – Francesca Battistelli

__________

Closing – Romans 5:16,17 (CEV)

But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life. Adam disobeyed God and caused many others to be sinners. But Jesus obeyed him and will make many people acceptable to God.
__________

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

Saturday Morning Prayer: 18 Jul 2020 – Psalm 127, Amos 9:13-15, Hebrews 12:1 ~ run the race ahead of you

Saturday Morning Prayer, 18 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

       Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 127

“Don’t waste your life” – (Psalm 127) – Three Sixteen Music

Amos 9:13-15

You will have such a harvest
that you won’t be able
to bring in all of your wheat
before plowing time.
You will have grapes left over
from season to season;
your fruitful vineyards
will cover the mountains.

I’ll make Israel prosper again.
You will rebuild your towns
and live in them.
You will drink wine
from your own vineyards
and eat the fruit you grow.
I’ll plant your roots deep
in the land I have given you,
and you won’t ever
be uprooted again.
I, the Lord God, have spoken!

Hebrews 12:1

Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.

Prayer:

Lord God: You have called us to be your people; strengthen us by the power of your Word and Spirit to finish the race you have chosen for us. Help us –

  • to be cheered on and encouraged by those saints who have gone before us….
  • to rid ourselves of anything that slows us down, especially our parasitic sins…
  • to keep our eyes on Jesus who endured shame and put up with many insults….
  • to persevere in faith with the expectation of winning the prize of being called to heaven…..

Lord God: as citizens of heaven, we eagerly await our Savior’s return. Meanwhile, we press on in his name. Amen.

Press On – Selah

Closing

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.

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12813-12823). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Friday Morning Prayer: 17 Jul 2020 – Psalm 126, Jeremiah 31:21, Luke 23:26 ~ the cross/road home

Friday Morning Prayer, 17 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

       Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 126

It seemed like a dream
when the Lord brought us back
to the city of Zion.
We celebrated with laughter
and joyful songs.
In foreign nations it was said,
“The Lord has worked miracles
for his people.”
And so we celebrated
because the Lord had indeed
worked miracles for us.

Our Lord, we ask you to bless
our people again,
and let us be like streams
in the Southern Desert.
We cried as we went out
to plant our seeds.
Now let us celebrate
as we bring in the crops.
We cried on the way
to plant our seeds,
but we will celebrate and shout
as we bring in the crops.

Jeremiah 31:21

With rock piles and signposts,
mark the way home,
my dear people.
It is the same road
by which you left.

Luke 23:26

As Jesus was being led away, some soldiers grabbed hold of a man from Cyrene named Simon. He was coming in from the fields, but they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Reflection:

Heavenfield*

Many a commemorative cross stands by roadside or in field, but few as significantly as that which stands at Heavenfield. It reminds us of good King Oswald, returning from Iona to unite his land, and win its people to Christ. He did not shirk his responsibilities, but fulfilled them with honesty and faith, as a Christian first, and only secondly as a king. We can only imagine with what mixture of emotions he knelt before the cross that day.

God has a place for you to fill,
but it will take all of you to fill it.
(Hugh Redwood)

He walks with God who,
as he onward moves, follows
the footsteps of the Lord he loves,
and keeping Him for ever in his view,
his Savior sees and His example, too.
(Dorothy Ann Thrupp)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, whose most dear Son, as He walked the way of The Cross, accepted the service of Simon of Cyrene to carry his physical burden for him: grant us each the grace gladly to bear one another’s burdens, for the love of him who said, “As you did it to the least of these my brethren, you did it to me,” your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us – Kaoma Chende (witten by Dorothy Ann Thrupp)

Savior, like a shepherd lead us
Much we need Thy tender care
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us
For our use Thy folds prepare
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are

We are Thine, who Thou befriend us
Be the guardian of our way
Keep Thy flock from sin defend us
Seek us when we go astray
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
Hear O hear us when we pray
Blessed Jesus, oh blessed Jesus
Hear O hear us when we pray

Closing

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.

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12813-12823). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.