After New Year’s Day | Friday 05 Jan 2024
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Almighty God, you have poured upon us
the new light of your incarnate Word:
Grant that this light, kindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
“But I tell everyone who is listening:
Love your enemies.
Be kind to those who hate you.”
(Luke 6:27)
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From Psalms: Psalm 110 – Poor Bishop Hooper
the lord said to my lord
come sit at my right hand
until i make your enemies
a footstool for your feet
the lord sends forth from zion
your mighty scepter
rule in the midst of your enemies
rule in the midst of your enemies
your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power in holy garments
from the womb of the morning
the lord has sworn and will not change his mind
you are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek
you are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek
god is at your right hand
he will shatter kings
on the day of his wrath
he will bring forth his
judgment to the nations
heaping up the dead
he will drink from the brook
thus he will lift his head
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OT Reading: Proverbs 22:1-9 (GW)
22:1 A good name is more desirable than great wealth.
Respect is better than silver or gold.
+ The rich and the poor have this in common:
the Lord is the maker of them all.
+ Sensible people foresee trouble and hide ⌞from it⌟,
but gullible people go ahead and suffer ⌞the consequence⌟.
+ On the heels of humility (the fear of the Lord)
are riches and honor and life.
+ A devious person has thorns and traps ahead of him.
Whoever guards himself will stay far away from them.
+ Train a child in the way he should go,
and even when he is old he will not turn away from it.
+ A rich person rules poor people,
and a borrower is a slave to a lender.
+ Whoever plants injustice will harvest trouble,
and this weapon of his own fury will be destroyed.
+ Whoever is generous will be blessed
because he has shared his food with the poor.
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If I speak words of wisdom – Resound Worship
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NT Reading: Luke 6:27-31 (GW)
Love Your Enemies
6:27 “But I tell everyone who is listening: Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who insult you. If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t stop him from taking your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you for something. If someone takes what is yours, don’t insist on getting it back.
“Do for other people everything you want them to do for you.
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Love For Enemies (Paul Demer)
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+ O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. 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. Bring home 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 to those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
May God, who has called us out of darkness
into his marvelous light,
bless us and fill us with peace.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 