Easter Week | Thursday 13 Apr 2023
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Almighty God,
you show those in error the light of your truth
so that they may turn to the path of righteousness:
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, now and for ever. Amen.
Devote yourselves to prayer
with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
(Colossians 4:2)
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From Psalm 16 – The Corner Room
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OT Reading: Song of Solomon 2:8-15 (NLT)
2:8 Ah, I hear my lover coming!
He is leaping over the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My lover is like a swift gazelle
or a young stag.
Look, there he is behind the wall,
looking through the window,
peering into the room.
My lover said to me,
“Rise up, my darling!
Come away with me, my fair one!
Look, the winter is past,
and the rains are over and gone.
The flowers are springing up,
the season of singing birds has come,
and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.
The fig trees are forming young fruit,
and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming.
Rise up, my darling!
Come away with me, my fair one!”
Young Man
2:14 My dove is hiding behind the rocks,
behind an outcrop on the cliff.
Let me see your face;
let me hear your voice.
For your voice is pleasant,
and your face is lovely.
Young Women of Jerusalem
2:15 Catch all the foxes,
those little foxes,
before they ruin the vineyard of love,
for the grapevines are blossoming!
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Song of Solomon (Official Lyric Video) – Martin Smith
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NT Reading: Colossians 4:2-5 (NLT)
An Encouragement for Prayer
4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
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When We Pray ~ Tauren Wells (Official Lyric Video)
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+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.
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Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
When faith is weak,
temptation strong
and courage fails,
forgive us, Lord
and once again
become that risen presence
within our hearts.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 