The Season of Advent | 3rd Saturday 16 Dec 2023
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
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.
““His son replied, ‘I don’t want to!’
But later he changed his mind and went.”
(Matthew 21:29)
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From Psalms: Psalm 126 – Poor Bishop Hooper
when the lord restored
the fortunes of zion
we were like those who dream
then our mouth was filled with laughter
and our tongue with shouts of joy joy joy
then they said among the nations
the lord has done great things for them
the lord has done great things
restore our fortunes lord
like streams in the desert
those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy
he who goes out weeping
carrying the seed
will come home with joyful shouting
bringing in his sheaves
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OT Reading: Habakkuk 3:13-19 (GW)
3:13 You go out to save your people,
to save your anointed.
You crush the leader of the wicked household,
stripping him bare from head to toe. Selah
You pierce the leader of his gang with his own arrows.
His soldiers come like a violent storm to scatter me.
They are arrogant like those who secretly eat up the poor.
You march with your horses into the sea,
into the mighty raging waters.
I have heard, so there’s trembling within me.
At the report my lips quivered.
A rotten feeling has entered me.
I tremble where I stand.
I wait for the day of trouble
to come to the people who will attack us.
Even if the fig tree does not bloom
and the vines have no grapes,
even if the olive tree fails to produce
and the fields yield no food,
even if the sheep pen is empty
and the stalls have no cattle—
even then,
I will be happy with the Lord.
I will truly find joy in God, who saves me.
The Lord Almighty is my strength.
He makes my feet like those of a deer.
He makes me walk on the mountains.
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Even Then – Micah Tyler [Debora Gomez]
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NT Reading: Matthew 21:28-32 (GW)
A Story about Two Sons
21:28 “What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go to work in the vineyard today.’
“His son replied, ‘I don’t want to!’ But later he changed his mind and went.
“The father went to the other son and told him the same thing. He replied, ‘I will, sir,’ but he didn’t go.
“Which of the two sons did what the father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Tax collectors and prostitutes are going into God’s kingdom ahead of you. John came to you and showed you the way that God wants you to live, but you didn’t believe him. The tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. But even after you had seen that, you didn’t change your minds and believe him.
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It Begins | “Zeh Matkhil” (Live) [Worship Session]@SOLUIsrael]
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+ Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ O God, our heavenly Father: Pour out your Spirit on your faithful people in the Middle East, that your Son’s 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, diplomatically, and especially those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 