The Season of Advent | 2nd Tuesday 12 Dec 2023: Psalm 27; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 11:1-18 ~ “anyone can turn, change, and have eternal life”

The Season of Advent | 2nd Tuesday 12 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.

They praised God by saying,
“Then God has also led people who are not Jewish
to turn to him so that they can
change the way they think and act
and have eternal life.”
(Acts 11:18b)

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From Psalms: Psalm 27 (You’re My Hope) Warr Acres

On a trouble day
You will keep me safe
Hiding me with sacred arms
Sitting high upon
You my solid rock
You are my hope

Should my enemies
Come surrounding me
I will shout in songs of joy
For if e’er I fall
You will hear my call
You’re my hope

Through the storms
Through the night
MY salvation appears
For the Lord is my light
Tell me whom shall I fear

Lord teach me your ways
Lead me in paths straight
Far from my oppressing foes
Now see your goodness
I am confident
You’re my hope
You are my hope

Through the storms
Through the night
MY salvation appears
For the Lord is my light
Tell me whom
whom shall I fear

And through the storms
Through the night
MY salvation appears
For the Lord is my light
Tell me whom shall I fear

And I will wait on you
Til my life is through
Taking hard mixed highs and lows
And may my soul stay strong
For it won’t be long
You’re my hope
You’re my hope

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OT Reading: Isaiah 4:2-6 (GW)

The Lord’s New Glory for Zion

4:2 When that day comes, the branch of the Lord
will be beautiful and wonderful.
The fruit of the land
will be the pride and joy of Israel’s survivors.

Then whoever is left in Zion and whoever remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. The Lord will wash away the filth of Zion’s people. He will clean bloodstains from Jerusalem with a spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning. The Lord will create a cloud of smoke during the day and a glowing flame of fire during the night over the whole area of Mount Zion and over the assembly. His glory will cover everything. It will be a shelter from the heat during the day as well as a refuge and hiding place from storms and rain.

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ABBA |אבא | Piano Worship| Hebrew worship| Prayer for the peace in Jerusalem @thebrothers_global

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NT Reading: Acts 11:1-18 (GW)

Peter Reports That Non-Jewish People Can Belong to the Church

11:1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that people who were not Jewish had accepted God’s word. However, when Peter went to Jerusalem, the believers who insisted on circumcision began to argue with him. They said, “You went to visit men who were uncircumcised, and you even ate with them.”

Then Peter began to explain to them point by point what had happened. He said, “I was praying in the city of Joppa when I fell into a trance. I saw something like a large linen sheet being lowered by its four corners from the sky. The sheet came near me. I looked into the sheet very closely and saw tame animals, wild animals, reptiles, and birds. I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill these animals, and eat them.’

“But I answered, ‘I can’t do that, Lord! I’ve never put anything impure or unclean into my mouth.’

“A voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Don’t say that the things which God has made clean are impure.’ This happened three times. Then everything was pulled back into the sky again.

“At that moment three men arrived at the house where we were staying. They had been sent from Caesarea to find me. The Spirit told me to go with them without any hesitation. Six believers ⌞from Joppa⌟ went with me, and we visited Cornelius’ home.

“He told us that he had seen an angel standing in his home. The angel told him, ‘Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man whose name is Simon Peter. He will give you a message that will save you and everyone in your home.’

“When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came to these people. This was the same thing that happened to us in the beginning. I remembered that the Lord had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.’ When they believed, God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So who was I to interfere with God?”

When the others heard this, they had no further objections. They praised God by saying, “Then God has also led people who are not Jewish to turn to him so that they can change the way they think and act and have eternal life.”

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Come to Jesus – Steffany Gretzinger

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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, politically and diplomatically, as well as those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ 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.

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 Season of Advent | 2nd Monday 11 Dec 2023: Psalm 27; Isaiah 26:7-15; Acts 2:37-42 ~ “turn, change, and be baptized”

The Season of Advent | 2nd Monday 11 Dec 2023

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

Opening:

Peter answered them,
“All of you must turn to God
and change the way you think and act, and
each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
so that your sins will be forgiven.
(Acts 2:38)

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From Psalms: Psalm 27 – (Whom Shall I Fear?) [feat. Luke Lynass by The Psalms Project]

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OT Reading: Isaiah 26:7-15

26:7 The path of the righteous is level.
Upright One, you make the road of the righteous smooth.
Certainly, we wait with hope for you, O Lord,
⌞as we follow⌟ the path of your guiding principles.
We want to remember you and your name.
With my soul I long for you at night.
Yes, with my spirit I eagerly look for you.
When your guiding principles are on earth,
those who live in the world learn to do what is right.
Although the wicked are shown pity,
they do not learn to do what is right.
They do what is wrong in the upright land
and do not see the majesty of the Lord.
O Lord, your power is visible, but they do not see it.
They will see how devoted your people are,
and they will be put to shame.
Your burning anger will destroy your enemies.

26:12 O Lord, you will establish peace for us,
since you have done everything for us.
O Lord, our God, you are not the only master to rule us,
but we acknowledge only you.
The wicked are dead.
They are no longer alive.
The spirits of the dead won’t rise.
You have punished them, destroyed them,
and wiped out all memory of them.
You have expanded the nation, O Lord.
You have expanded the nation.
You are honored.
You have extended all the land’s boundaries.

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What a beautiful name/O Come all Ye Faithful ~ [Jews & Arabs celebrating Jesus as ONE in Jerusalem!]

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NT Reading: Acts 2:37-42 (GW)

2:37 When the people heard this, they were deeply upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

Peter answered them, “All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. This promise belongs to you and to your children and to everyone who is far away. It belongs to everyone who worships the Lord our God.”

Peter said much more to warn them. He urged, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted what Peter said were baptized. That day about 3,000 people were added ⌞to the group⌟.

Life as a Christian

2:42 The disciples were devoted to the teachings of the apostles, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

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“Repent and be Baptized” by Paul Rocchi

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows

+ I renounce the devil and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God.
+ I renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.
+ I renounce the sinful desires of the flesh that draw me from the love of God.

May Almighty God deliver me from the powers of darkness and evil, and lead me into the light and obedience of the kingdom of his Son Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ I turn to Jesus Christ and confess him as my Lord and Savior.
+ I receive the Christian Faith, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
+ I will obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of my life, the Lord being my helper.

Almighty and everliving God, strengthen me for witness and ministry through the power of your Holy Spirit. Daily increase in me your manifold virtues of grace: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and true godliness, and the spirit of holy fear, now and for ever. 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.

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 Season of Advent | 2nd Sunday 10 Dec 2023: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8 ~ Prepare the way for the Lord!

The Season of Advent | 2nd Sunday 10 Dec 2023

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

Opening:

“A voice cries out in the desert:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord!
Make his paths straight!’ ”
(Mark 1:3)

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Fairest Lord Jesus – with Phil Webb and the Grace Community Church Congregation

1.Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son;
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

2.Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

3.Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight
And all the twinkling, stary host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heav’n can boast

4.Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!

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From the Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-11 (GW)

Comfort My People

40:1 “Comfort my people! Comfort them!” says your God.
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and announce to it
that its time of hard labor is over
and its wrongs have been paid for.
It has received from the Lord double for all its sins.”

A voice cries out in the desert:

“Clear a way for the Lord.
Make a straight highway in the wilderness for our God.
Every valley will be raised.
Every mountain and hill will be lowered.
Steep places will be made level.
Rough places will be made smooth.
Then the Lord’s glory will be revealed
and all people will see it together.
The Lord has spoken.”

A voice called, “Call out!”

I asked, “What should I call out?”

“Call out: All people are like grass,
and all their beauty is like a flower in the field.
Grass dries up,
and flowers wither when the Lord’s breath blows on them.
Yes, people are like grass.
Grass dries up,
and flowers wither,
but our God’s word will last forever.”

Go up a high mountain, Zion.
Tell the good news!
Call out with a loud voice, Jerusalem.
Tell the good news!
Raise your voice without fear.
Tell the cities of Judah:
“Here is your God!”

The Almighty Lord is coming with power
to rule with authority.
His reward is with him,
and the people he has won arrive ahead of him.
Like a shepherd he takes care of his flock.
He gathers the lambs in his arms.
He carries them in his arms.
He gently helps the sheep and their lambs.

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From Psalms: Psalm 85 – Second Sunday of Advent – Catholic Music Initiative

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From the Epistles: 2 Peter 3:8-15a (GW)

3:8 Dear friends, don’t ignore this fact: One day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day heaven will pass away with a roaring sound. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and be destroyed. The earth and everything that people have done on it will be exposed.

All these things will be destroyed in this way. So think of the kind of holy and godly lives you must live as you look forward to the day of God and eagerly wait for it to come. When that day comes, heaven will be on fire and will be destroyed. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and melt. But we look forward to what God has promised—a new heaven and a new earth—a place where everything that has God’s approval lives.

Therefore, dear friends, with this to look forward to, make every effort to have him find you at peace, without ⌞spiritual⌟ stains or blemishes. Think of our Lord’s patience as an opportunity ⌞for us⌟ to be saved.

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Heaven And Earth – Hillsong Worship

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Gospel Reading: Mark 1:1-8 (GW)

John Prepares the Way

1:1 This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The prophet Isaiah wrote,

“I am sending my messenger ahead of you
to prepare the way for you.”
“A voice cries out in the desert:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord!
Make his paths straight!’ ”

John the Baptizer was in the desert telling people about a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went to him. As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

John was dressed in clothes made from camel’s hair. He wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.

He announced, “The one who comes after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandal straps. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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The Violet Sanctus ~ Kathryn Miller

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

+ Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who, in your great mercy, has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to you, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; 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 Season of Advent | 2nd Saturday 09 Dec 2023: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Mark 11:27-33 ~ Jesus Messiah changes people’s hearts.

The Season of Advent | 2nd Saturday 09 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.

“I will give you a new heart and
put a new spirit in you.
I will remove your stubborn hearts
and give you obedient hearts.”
(Ezekiel 36:26)

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From Psalms: Psalm 85 – Anglican Chant | Choir of St. John’s College Cambridge (eugenx)

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OT Reading: Ezekiel 36:24-28 (GW)

36:24 “ ‘I will take you from the nations and gather you from every country. I will bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean instead of unclean. Then I will cleanse you from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove your stubborn hearts and give you obedient hearts. I will put my Spirit in you. I will enable you to live by my laws, and you will obey my rules. Then you will live in the land that I gave your ancestors. You will be my people, and I will be your God.

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Whole Heart (Hold Me Now) ~ Hillsong UNITED (music meets heaven)

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NT Reading: Mark 11:27-33 (GW)

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

11:27 Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple courtyard, the chief priests, the experts in Moses’ Teachings, and the leaders came to him. They asked him, “What gives you the right to do these things? Who told you that you could do this?”

Jesus said to them, “I’ll ask you a question. Answer me, and then I’ll tell you why I have the right to do these things. Did John’s right to baptize come from heaven or from humans? Answer me!”

They discussed this among themselves. They said, “If we say, ‘from heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘from humans,’ ⌞then what will happen⌟?” They were afraid of the people. All the people thought of John as a true prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus told them, “Then I won’t tell you why I have the right to do these things.”

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When You Walk Into the Room – Bryan & Katie Torwalt – Jesus Culture Music

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through 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.

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 Season of Advent | 2nd Friday 08 Dec 2023: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Acts 11:19-26 ~ Jesus Messiah is Good News for everyone.

The Season of Advent | 2nd Friday 08 Dec 2023

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

Opening:

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)

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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
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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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Yeshua Or / Yeshua is Light – Emanuel Roro (LIVE Hebrew Worship)