The Season of Advent | 2nd Friday 08 Dec 2023
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Almighty God, give us grace
to cast away the works of darkness,
and put on the armor of light,
now in the time of this mortal life in which
your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day, when he shall come again
in his glorious majesty
to judge both the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
But other believers,
who were from Cyprus and Cyrene,
arrived in Antioch.
They started to spread the Good News
about the Lord Jesus to Greeks.
(Acts 11:20)
__________
From Psalms: Psalm 85 – Poor Bishop Hooper
o lord you showed your favor
for you restored jacob’s fortunes
you forgave your people’s sins
you kept your wrath withdrawn from them
surely his salvation is near to those who fear him
surely his salvation is near
now come restore us again
abandon your displeasure
will you prolong your wrath for generations
will you be angry forever
surely his salvation is near to those who fear him
surely his salvation is near
steadfast love meets faithfulness
righteousness and peace have kissed
faithfulness springs from the ground
righteousness from the sky looks down
yes the lord will give all his blessings
and the land will lift up its bounty
_________
OT Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (GW)
The Lord Gives Jeremiah a Message for His People
1:4 The Lord spoke his word to me,
“Before I formed you in the womb,
I knew you.
Before you were born,
I set you apart for my holy purpose.
I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”
I, Jeremiah, said, “Almighty Lord, I do not know how to speak. I am only a boy!”
But the Lord said to me, “Don’t say that you are only a boy. You will go wherever I send you. You will say whatever I command you to say. Don’t be afraid of people. I am with you, and I will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Then the Lord stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. The Lord said to me,
“Now I have put my words in your mouth.
Today I have put you in charge of nations and kingdoms.
You will uproot and tear down.
You will destroy and overthrow.
You will build and plant.”
__________
Baruch Haba / Blessed is He (Psalm 118:26) by Barry & Batya Segal
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD.”
__________
NT Reading: Acts 11:19-26 (GW)
The New Church in Antioch
11:19 Some of the believers who were scattered by the trouble that broke out following Stephen’s death went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and the city of Antioch. They spoke God’s word only to Jewish people. But other believers, who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, arrived in Antioch. 
They started to spread the Good News about the Lord Jesus to Greeks. The Lord’s power was with his followers, and a large number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
After the news about Antioch reached the church in Jerusalem, Barnabas was sent to Antioch. When he arrived there, he was pleased to see what God had done for them out of kindness. So he encouraged all the people to remain solidly committed to the Lord. Barnabas was a dependable man, and he was full of the Holy Spirit and faith. A large crowd believed in the Lord.
Then Barnabas left Antioch to go to the city of Tarsus to look for Saul. After finding Saul, Barnabas brought him back to Antioch. Barnabas and Saul met with the church in Antioch for a whole year and taught a large group of people. The disciples were called Christians for the first time in the city of Antioch.
__________
Yeshua Or / Yeshua is Light – Emanuel Roro (LIVE Hebrew Worship)
__________
+ 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, politically and diplomatically, as well as those who will restore Israel 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 the Lord, when he comes,
find us watching and waiting.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 