Month: April 2022

Easter | 2nd Saturday 30 April 2022: Psalm 30; Genesis 18:1-8; Luke 14:12-14 ~ Who’s on your guest list?

Easter | 2nd Saturday 30 April 2022

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“When you put on a luncheon or a banquet…
Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.”
(Luke 14:12-13)

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Psalms: Psalm 30 – (Mourning Into Dancing) (feat. Elizabeth Enalls) – The Psalms Project

I will extol You, O Lord
For You have lifted me
You haven’t let my enemies rejoice over me

O Lord my God, I cried to You, You healed me
You raised my life up from the grave
You have preserved my life so I would not go down to the pit

All you saints, sing praises to the Lord
And to His holy name, give thanks
For His anger is only for a moment
His favor lasts a lifetime
Weeping may endure for the night
But joy comes with the morning light

When I was prospering, I said, “I won’t be moved”
By Your steadfast love, You made my mountain stand strong
When You hid Your face, I was dismayed
I cried out to You, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
“What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me
O Lord, be my helper”
Then You answered

You have turned my mourning into dancing
You took off my mourning clothes and you clothed me with joy
So my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent
Lord my God, I’ll thank you forever

I will thank you forever
You’ve turned my mourning into dancing
And clothed me with joy

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OT Reading: Genesis 18:1-8 (NLT)

A Son Is Promised to Sarah

18:1 The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.

“My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while. Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet. And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.”

“All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.”

So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.” Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it. When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees.

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Angels Unaware – Espiritu vocal ensemble

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NT Reading: Luke 14:12-14 (NLT)

14:12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

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Come To The Banquet Of God
CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY (Doha, Qatar

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For desiring God – Francis Xavier

+O God, grant that we may desire you, and desiring you seek you, and seeking you find you, and finding you be satisfied in you for ever. Amen.

Of self-dedication  – William Temple

+ Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His love is everlasting
and extends to all creation.

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

Easter | 2nd Friday 29 April 2022: Psalm 30; Isaiah 6:1-4; Revelation 4:1-11 ~ join the worship in heaven

Easter | 2nd Friday 29 April 2022

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
(Revelation 4:11)

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Psalms: Psalm 30 – (God/Good/Faithful)
Jubilee Church

When all hope was gone
And the lights went out
And I wept all through the night
I cried out for mercy
“Oh God can You hear me?”

When I felt the weight
As it crippled me
And depression took its hold
I cried out for mercy
“Oh God can You hear me?”

You lifted me on high
Brought me triumph in the night
And turned my wailing into praise
Your anger passed me by
But Your favor is for life
Your love for me never fails

I know You hear me when I cry
Your hope will last all through the night
I know that You are always near
You are God You are good
You are faithful

What can stop my heart
From singing praise
Like a choir in my soul
I testify of mercy
And I give You all the glory

You lift me higher and higher
So I’ll lift You higher and higher
We’ll lift you higher and higher

You lifted me on high
Brought me triumph in the night
And turned my wailing into praise
Oh God of grace and mercy
I give thanks for how You’ve healed me
Oh God of grace and mercy
I give You all the glory
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OT Reading: Isaiah 6:1-4 (NLT)

Isaiah’s Cleansing and Call

6:1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.

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I Saw the Lord (Dallas Holm)

Emmanuel Church Eastleigh

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NT Reading: Revelation 4:1-11 (NLT)

Worship in Heaven

4:1 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

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You Are Worthy – Hillsong Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For desiring God – Francis Xavier

+O God, grant that we may desire you, and desiring you seek you, and seeking you find you, and finding you be satisfied in you for ever. Amen.

Of self-dedication  – William Temple

+ Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His love is everlasting
and extends to all creation.

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

Easter | 2nd Thursday 28 April 2022: Psalm 30; Isaiah 5:11-17; Revelation 3:14-22 ~ Church: repent from your indifference!

Easter | 2nd Thursday 28 April 2022

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock.
If you hear my voice and open the door,
I will come in,
and we will share a meal together as friends.”
(Revelation 3:20)

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Psalms: Psalm 30 – The Corner Room

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OT Reading: Isaiah 5:11-17 (NLT)

5:11 What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning
looking for a drink of alcohol
and spend long evenings drinking wine
to make themselves flaming drunk.
They furnish wine and lovely music at their grand parties—
lyre and harp, tambourine and flute—
but they never think about the Lord
or notice what he is doing.

So my people will go into exile far away
because they do not know me.
Those who are great and honored will starve,
and the common people will die of thirst.
The grave is licking its lips in anticipation,
opening its mouth wide.
The great and the lowly
and all the drunken mob will be swallowed up.
Humanity will be destroyed, and people brought down;
even the arrogant will lower their eyes in humiliation.
But the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be exalted by his justice.
The holiness of God will be displayed by his righteousness.
In that day lambs will find good pastures,
and fattened sheep and young goats will feed among the ruins.

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Holiness – Sarah Hart

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NT Reading: Revelation 3:14-22 (NLT)

The Message to the Church in Laodicea

3;14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

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Restore Me – Kutless

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
[William Laud]

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His love is everlasting
and extends to all creation.

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

Easter | 2nd Wednesday 27 April 2022: Psalm 122; Esther 9:1-5, 18-23; Luke 12:4-12 ~ don’t be afraid of rulers and authorities

Easter | 2nd Wednesday 27 April 2022

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Dear friends,
don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body;
they cannot do any more to you after that.
But I’ll tell you whom to fear.
Fear God, who has the power to kill you and
then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.”
(Luke 12:4-5)

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Psalms: Psalm 122 – House of the Lord – Psalter Project

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OT Reading: Esther 9:1-5, 18-23 (NLT)

The Victory of the Jews

9:1 So on March 7 the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies. The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king’s provinces to attack anyone who tried to harm them. But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them. And all the nobles of the provinces, the highest officers, the governors, and the royal officials helped the Jews for fear of Mordecai. For Mordecai had been promoted in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as he became more and more powerful.

So the Jews went ahead on the appointed day and struck down their enemies with the sword. They killed and annihilated their enemies and did as they pleased with those who hated them.

9:18 (The Jews at Susa killed their enemies on March 7 and again on March 8, then rested on March 9, making that their day of feasting and gladness.) So to this day, rural Jews living in remote villages celebrate an annual festival and holiday on the appointed day in late winter, when they rejoice and send gifts of food to each other.

The Festival of Purim

Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes, calling on them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days. He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.

So the Jews accepted Mordecai’s proposal and adopted this annual custom.

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An Encanto Purim (We Don’t Talk About Haman) – The Maccabeats
[please turn on cc]

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NT Reading: Luke 12:4-12 (NLT)

12:4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

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Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, you gave your saints and servants boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

Breathe love into lives ruled by fear.
Soften hearts that are hardened by pride.
Whisper gently to those bound by chains.
Sow peace where conflict divides.

©John Birch

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

Easter | 2nd Tuesday 26 April 2022: Psalm 122; Esther 8:1-17; Revelation 2:8-11 ~ don’t be afraid to suffer for Christ

Easter | 2nd Tuesday 26 April 2022

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you.
You will suffer for ten days.
But if you remain faithful even when facing death,
I will give you the crown of life.”
(Revelation 2:10)

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Psalms: Psalm 122 – May There Be Peace
Timeless: Ancient Psalms for the Church Today

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OT Reading: Esther 8:1-17 (NLT)

A Decree to Help the Jews

8:1 On that same day King Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king how they were related. The king took off his signet ring—which he had taken back from Haman—and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s property.

Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews. Again the king held out the gold scepter to Esther. So she rose and stood before him.

Esther said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor with him, and if he thinks it is right, and if I am pleasing to him, let there be a decree that reverses the orders of Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who ordered that Jews throughout all the king’s provinces should be destroyed. For how can I endure to see my people and my family slaughtered and destroyed?”

Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews. Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.”

So on June 25 the king’s secretaries were summoned, and a decree was written exactly as Mordecai dictated. It was sent to the Jews and to the highest officers, the governors, and the nobles of all the 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. The decree was written in the scripts and languages of all the peoples of the empire, including that of the Jews. The decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Mordecai sent the dispatches by swift messengers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king’s service.

The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. The day chosen for this event throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes was March 7 of the next year.

A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day. So urged on by the king’s command, the messengers rode out swiftly on fast horses bred for the king’s service. The same decree was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa.

Then Mordecai left the king’s presence, wearing the royal robe of blue and white, the great crown of gold, and an outer cloak of fine linen and purple. And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree. The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere. In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.

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Faithful – Chris Tomlin

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NT Reading: Revelation 2:8-11 (NLT)

The Message to the Church in Smyrna

2:8 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive:

“I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.

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You’ve Already Won | Shane and Shane | #ASongForUkraine
Let Us Adore Him

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, you gave your saints and servants boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

Breathe love into lives ruled by fear.
Soften hearts that are hardened by pride.
Whisper gently to those bound by chains.
Sow peace where conflict divides.

©John Birch

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