Epiphany Season | Thursday 01 Feb 2024
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
O God, you know that we are set
in the midst of many grave dangers,
and because of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright:
Grant that your strength and protection
may support us in all dangers
and carry us through every temptation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Don’t turn [your] freedom into an excuse
for your corrupt nature to express itself.
Rather, serve each other through love.”
(Galatians 5:13)
__________
From Psalms: Psalm 147 – “How Good It Is to Sing” (Stuart Townend) / Christian Lyrics
__________
OT Reading: Proverbs 12:10-21 (GW)
12:10 A righteous person cares ⌞even⌟ about the life of his animals,
but the compassion of wicked people is ⌞nothing but⌟ cruelty.
+ Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat,
but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.
+ A wicked person delights in setting a trap for ⌞other⌟ evil people,
but the roots of righteous people produce ⌞fruit⌟.
An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk,
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
+ One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability.
Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.
+ A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one,
but a person who listens to advice is wise.
When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately,
but a sensible person hides the insult.
+ A truthful witness speaks honestly,
but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.
+ Careless words stab like a sword,
but the words of wise people bring healing.
The word of truth lasts forever,
but lies last only a moment.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
but joy belongs to those who advise peace.
+ No ⌞lasting⌟ harm comes to a righteous person,
but wicked people have lots of trouble.
__________
Oseh Shalom (He who makes peace) by Barry & Batya Segal
He who makes peace in the heavens
Grant peace to us
And to all of our people
And let us say Amen
He will make peace, He will make peace
Peace unto us and over all of Israel
__________
NT Reading: Galatians 5:2-15 (GW)
5:2 I, Paul, can guarantee that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Again, I insist that everyone who allows himself to be circumcised must realize that he obligates himself to do everything Moses’ Teachings demand. Those of you who try to earn God’s approval by obeying his laws have been cut off from Christ. You have fallen out of God’s favor. However, in our spiritual nature, faith causes us to wait eagerly for the confidence that comes with God’s approval. As far as our relationship to Christ Jesus is concerned, it doesn’t matter whether we are circumcised or not. But what matters is a faith that expresses itself through love.
You were doing so well. Who stopped you from being influenced by the truth? The arguments of the person who is influencing you do not come from the one who is calling you. A little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough. The Lord gives me confidence that you will not disagree with this. However, the one who is confusing you will suffer God’s judgment regardless of who he is. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the cross wouldn’t be offensive anymore. I wish those troublemakers would castrate themselves.
You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love. All of Moses’ Teachings are summarized in a single statement, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don’t destroy each other.
__________
If I speak words of wisdom – Resound Worship
__________
+ Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples (especially in the Middle East) may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. 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.
+ 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.
Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
May Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 