Month: January 2022

Epiphany Season | Monday 31 January 2022: Psalm 56; 1 Kings 17:8-16; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 ~ We have the mind of Christ.

Epiphany Season | Monday 31 January 2022

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

Opening:

O God, you know that we are set in the midst of many grave
dangers, and because of the frailty of our nature we cannot
always stand upright: Grant that your strength and protection
may support us in all dangers and carry us through every
temptation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?”
But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
(1 Corinthians 2:16)

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Psalms: Psalm 56 – So Gracious Oh God – Moving Mountain Worship

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OT Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16 (NLT)

The Widow at Zarephath

17:8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”

 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”

 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”

 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”

 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.

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“Provider” – Urban Rescue

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NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (NLT)

22:6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”

 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.  But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For,

“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?”

But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

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May the Mind of Christ My Saviour (Tune: St Leonard
Chet Valley Churches

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For Holy Thought

+ O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

For Satisfaction in Christ – Julian of Norwich

+ O God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor, and if I do ask anything less, I shall always be in want. Only in you I have all. Amen.

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Closing: faithandworship.com  / John Birch

May the peace of God enfold us,
The love of God uphold us,
The wisdom of God control us.

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

Epiphany Season | 4th Sunday 30 Jan 2022 – Jer 1:4-10; Ps 71:11-20; 1 Cor 14:12-25; Luke 4:21-32 ~ Jesus spoke with authority.

Epiphany Season | 4th Sunday 30 Jan 2022

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

Opening:

O God, you know that we are set in the midst of many grave
dangers, and because of the frailty of our nature we cannot
always stand upright: Grant that your strength and protection
may support us in all dangers and carry us through every
temptation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Everyone spoke well of [Jesus] and was amazed
by the gracious words that came from his lips.
“How can this be?” they asked.
“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

(Luke 4:21-22)

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God of Grace and God of Glory – Dan Forrest
Edenton St. United Methodist Church, Raleigh, NC
Bel Canto Company | Mark Manring

1 God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow’r;
crown your ancient Church’s story,
bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.

2 Lo, the hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways.
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.

3 Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore.

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OT Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NLT)

Jeremiah’s Call and First Visions

1:4 The Lord gave me this message:

 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

“Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
Today I appoint you to stand up
against nations and kingdoms.
Some you must uproot and tear down,
destroy and overthrow.
Others you must build up
and plant.”

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Psalms: Psalm 71 – I Will Sing of Your Salvation – Francesca LaRosa

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NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:12-25 (NLT)

14:12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.

 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.

 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. It is written in the Scriptures:

“I will speak to my own people
through strange languages
and through the lips of foreigners.
But even then, they will not listen to me,”
says the Lord.

 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”

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O for a thousand tongues | WMTV Music
Elevation Worship (Keswick Live! 2015)

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Gospel Reading: Luke 4:21-32 (NLT)

4:21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

“Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Jesus Casts Out a Demon

4:31 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

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Jubilee (feat. Naomi Raine & Bryan & Katie Torwalt) – Maverick City | TRIBL
Modern Evangelism

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers for the Church and the whole world:

+ For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of God.

+ For all our church leaders and the people in our congregations around the world.

+ For all those who proclaim the Gospel at home and abroad; and for all who teach and disciple others.

+ For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith, especially women, children, and the elderly.

+ For our nation, for those in authority, and for all those in public service.

+ For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, especially those suffering because of covid.

+ For all those who have departed this life in the certain hope of the resurrection; and for their loved ones who grieve and mourn.

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

Closing: faithandworship.com  / John Birch

God’s love surround you, God’s Spirit guide you,
God’s whisper cheer you, God’s peace calm you,
God’s shield protect you, God’s wisdom arm you,
wherever God may lead you.

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

Epiphany Season | Saturday 29 January 2022: ~ Psalm 71:1-6; 2 Chronicles 36:11-21; John 1:43-51 ~ Come and see for yourself.

Epiphany Season | Saturday 29 January 2022

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

Opening:

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior
Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his
salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory
of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about!
His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael.
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

(John 1:45-46)

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Psalms: Psalm 71:1-6 – Walk Thru the Bible

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OT Reading: 2 Chronicles 36:11-21 (NLT)

Zedekiah Rules in Judah

36:11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. But Zedekiah did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and he refused to humble himself when the prophet Jeremiah spoke to him directly from the Lord. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, even though he had taken an oath of loyalty in God’s name. Zedekiah was a hard and stubborn man, refusing to turn to the Lord, the God of Israel.

 Likewise, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful. They followed all the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, desecrating the Temple of the Lord that had been consecrated in Jerusalem.

 The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.

The Fall of Jerusalem

36:17 So the Lord brought the king of Babylon against them. The Babylonians killed Judah’s young men, even chasing after them into the Temple. They had no pity on the people, killing both young men and young women, the old and the infirm. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. The king took home to Babylon all the articles, large and small, used in the Temple of God, and the treasures from both the Lord’s Temple and from the palace of the king and his officials. Then his army burned the Temple of God, tore down the walls of Jerusalem, burned all the palaces, and completely destroyed everything of value. The few who survived were taken as exiles to Babylon, and they became servants to the king and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.

 So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said.

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The Wait Is Over |  Austin Stone Worship

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NT Reading: John 1:43-51 (NLT)

1:43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.

 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”

 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”  Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

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“Jesus Is Greater” – LIVE from The Gospel Coalition | Austin Stone Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For All Missionaries

+ O God, you desire that all people be saved and come to knowledge of the truth: Prosper all those who live, preach, and teach the Gospel at home and in distant lands; protect  them in all perils, support them in their loneliness, sustain them in the hour of trial; give them your abundant grace to bear faithful witness; and endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Spirit of Evangelism

+ Almighty God our Savior, you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Closing: faithandworship.com  / John Birch

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.

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

Epiphany Season | Friday 28 January 2022: Psalm 71:1-6; 2 Chronicles 35:20-27; Acts 19:1-10 ~ Believe and receive the Holy Spirit.

Epiphany Season | Friday 28 January 2022

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

Opening:

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior
Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his
salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory
of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“John himself told the people to believe
in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”
As soon as they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came on them,
and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.
(Acts 19:4b-6)

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Psalms: Psalm 71 – (I Will Sing of Your Salvation)
Responsorial Psalms by Lionel Valdellon

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OT Reading: 2 Chronicles 35:20-27 (NLT)

Josiah Dies in Battle

35:20 After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message:

“What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”

 But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, “Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded!”

 So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. The prophet Jeremiah composed funeral songs for Josiah, and to this day choirs still sing these sad songs about his death. These songs of sorrow have become a tradition and are recorded in The Book of Laments.

 The rest of the events of Josiah’s reign and his acts of devotion (carried out according to what was written in the Law of the Lord), from beginning to end—all are recorded in The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

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Lamentations of Jeremiah (Randall Stroope)- NTU Choir
Nanyang Technological Choir

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NT Reading: Acts 19:1-10 (NLT)

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

19:1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.

“No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked.

And they replied, “The baptism of John.”

 Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”

 As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus

19:8 Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.

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Breath of the Father – Austin Ludwig
music meets heaven

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For the Mission of the Church

+ O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Receiving the Holy Spirit

+ Almighty and everliving God, we beseech you to strengthen us, your baptized servants, for witness and ministry through the power of your Holy Spirit. Daily increase in us your manifold virtues of grace: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness, and the spirit of holy fear, now and for ever. Amen.

For the Coming of God’s Kingdom

+ Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

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Closing: faithandworship.com  / John Birch

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.

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

Epiphany Season | Thursday 27 January 2022: Psalm 71:1-6; 2 Chronicles 34:1-7; Acts 10:44-48 ~ We have all received the same Spirit.

Epiphany Season | Thursday 27 January 2022

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

Opening:

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior
Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his
salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory
of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Then Peter asked,
“Can anyone object to their being baptized,
now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”
So he gave orders for them to be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ.
(Acts 10:47-48)

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Psalms: Psalm 71 – Shaffer Brothers

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OT Reading: 2 Chronicles 34:1-7 (NLT)

Josiah Rules in Judah

34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.

 During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. He ordered that the altars of Baal be demolished and that the incense altars which stood above them be broken down. He also made sure that the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images were smashed and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.   He burned the bones of the pagan priests on their own altars, and so he purified Judah and Jerusalem.

 He did the same thing in the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, even as far as Naphtali, and in the regions all around them. He destroyed the pagan altars and the Asherah poles, and he crushed the idols into dust. He cut down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Finally, he returned to Jerusalem.

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No More Idols | Chandler Moore | Impact Music |
Anne Jo Music

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NT Reading: Acts 10:44-48 (NLT)

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

10:44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.

Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.

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You Deserve The Glory – Jew & Arab Worship Together [Live from Jerusalem]
Shilo Ben Hod

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For the Unity of all Christian People

+ O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace to take to heart the grave dangers we are in through our many divisions. Deliver your Church from all enmity and prejudice, and everything that hinders us from godly union. As there is one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so make us all to be of one heart and of one mind, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and love, that with one voice we may give you praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in everlasting glory. Amen.

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Closing: faithandworship.com  / John Birch

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.

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