Easter Season | Tuesday 09 May 2023
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Almighty God,
whom truly to know is everlasting life:
Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ
to be the way, the truth, and the life,
that we may steadfastly follow his steps
in the way that leads to eternal glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
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From Psalm 102 – Dark Was the Night || The War Within (Official Music Video)
Hear my prayer, let my cry rise to You
Draw me near as I call upon Your name
Lord, my heart is blighted and withered
God, I seek You, I want to know You
I need You, I need You
My bones burn as I learn to follow
Chorus
You will endure forever and ever
You are enthroned with every power
You spoke the light, and broke the shadow
I was condemned to death when You saved me
Dark was the night, You appeared in glory
Lord have my life, Lord have my life
Verse 2
I lie awake, alone among the ruins
Held within the darkness of the night
All my hope burns away to ashes
But Your glory is appearing
You rebuild me, You rebuild me
So I will rise and worship You
Bridge
You’re the foundation
The heavens and the earth will fade
While You remain
Your years won’t end, Lord
And we will be with You, in Your light
In Your presence
Outro Chorus
From age to age, let it be written
Those not yet made may declare He’s risen
Oh praise the Lord, oh praise the Lord
Nations will know the Name of Jesus
Kings on the earth will revere His glory
Lord have it all, Lord have it all
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OT Reading: Proverbs 3:5-12 (NLT)
3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
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Trust in the Lord – Zion Music
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NT Reading: Acts 7:44-56 (NLT)
7:44 “Our ancestors carried the Tabernacle with them through the wilderness. It was constructed according to the plan God had shown to Moses. Years later, when Joshua led our ancestors in battle against the nations that God drove out of this land, the Tabernacle was taken with them into their new territory. And it stayed there until the time of King David.
“David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who actually built it. However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,
‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Could you build me a temple as good as that?’
asks the Lord.
‘Could you build me such a resting place?
Didn’t my hands make both heaven and earth?’
“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”
The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”
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I see the Lord, Chris Falson || IamJBart Bartley
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+ Almighty God, you gave your servant Stephen 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.
+ O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
Let us make our way together, Lord;
Wherever you go I must go:
And through whatever you pass,
There too I will pass.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.