Revised Common Lectionary [Year B] | Thursday 30 Nov 2023

Please Note: Today marks the beginning of a new Church Year. Our readings will be taken from GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

+ Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your Holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all
things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of
lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and
enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his
most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In this situation God’s holy people,
who obey his commands
and keep their faith in Jesus,
need endurance.
(Revelation 4:12)

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From Psalms: Psalm 80 – “Lord Make Us Turn To You” (Responsorial Psalm)

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OT Reading: Zechariah 13:1-9 (GW)

13:1 ⌞The Lord declares,⌟ “On that day a fountain will be opened for David’s family and for those who live in Jerusalem to wash away ⌞their⌟ sin and stain.

False Prophets Will Be Judged

13:2 “On that day,” declares the Lord of Armies, “I will wipe away the names of the idols from the land. They will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the ⌞false⌟ prophets and the unclean  spirit from the land.

“If a man still prophesies, his father and his mother, who gave birth to him, will say, ‘You don’t deserve to live because you speak lies in the name of the Lord.’ Then his father and his mother, who gave birth to him, will stab him when he prophesies.

“On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He won’t deceive people by dressing ⌞like a prophet⌟ in a coat made of hair. He will say, ‘I am not a prophet. I’m a farmer. I’ve owned this land since I was a child.’

“When someone asks him, ‘What are these scars on your chest?’ he will answer, ‘I was hurt at my friend’s house.’

The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered

13:7 “Arise, sword, against my shepherd,
against the man who is my friend,” declares the Lord of Armies.
“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
Then I will turn my hand against the little ones.”

The Lord declares,

“Throughout the land two-thirds will be cut off and die.
Yet, one-third will be left in it.
I will bring this third ⌞of the people⌟ through the fire.
I will refine them as silver is refined.
I will test them as gold is tested.
They will call on me, and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people.’
They will reply, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”

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“We Are Your People” New Covenant Worship Song in Jerusalem, Israel

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NT Reading: Revelation 14:6-13 (GW)

The Harvest of the Earth

14:6 I saw another angel flying overhead with the everlasting Good News to spread to those who live on earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. The angel said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the time has come for him to judge. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs.”

Another angel, a second one, followed him, and said, “Fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen! She has made all the nations drink the wine of her passionate sexual sins.”

Another angel, a third one, followed them, and said in a loud voice, “Whoever worships the beast or its statue, whoever is branded on his forehead or his hand, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured unmixed into the cup of God’s anger. Then he will be tortured by fiery sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the lamb. The smoke from their torture will go up forever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast or its statue, or for anyone branded with its name.” In this situation God’s holy people, who obey his commands and keep their faith in Jesus, need endurance.

I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: From now on those who die believing in the Lord are blessed.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit. “Let them rest from their hard work. What they have done goes with them.”

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Mi Sheberach Lchayalim – Blessing For The IDF

• He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, may He bless the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Force, who stand on guard for our land and the cities of our God, from the border of Lebanon and to the desert of Egypt, and from the Mediterranean Sea to the approach of the Arava, on the ground, in the air and on the sea.
• May the Lord cause our enemies who rise up against us to be defeated before them.
• May the Holy One, Blessed is He, guard and rescue our soldiers from every trouble and distress, and from every affliction and disease, and may He send blessing and success in all their handiwork.
• May He subdue our enemies under them, and adorn them with a crown of salvation and a tiara of victory.
• And may it be fulfilled in them the verse, “Because Hashem your God is the One that goes with you, to do battle for you with your enemies to save you”. (Deuteronomy 20:4)
• And let us say: “Amen”
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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your Son, Christ Jesus, into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your faithful people in the Middle East, that his life-giving Gospel may be preached to every tribe and nation. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Set free the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, as well as those who will restore Israel politically and spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, 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.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,
bring us to reign with him in glory.

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