The Lenten Season | Saturday 16 Mar 2024: Psalm 51:1-12; Habakkuk 3:2-13; John 12:1-11 ~ Mary’s sacrifice of devotion.

The Lenten Season | Saturday 16 Mar 2024

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

Opening:

Gracious Father,
whose blessed Son Jesus Christ
came down from heaven to be
the true bread which gives life to the world:
Evermore give us this bread,
that he may live in us, and we in him;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Jesus said to Judas, “Leave her alone!
She has done this to prepare me
for the day I will be placed in a tomb.”
(John 12:7)

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From Psalms: Psalm 51:10-13 // Harvest Collective

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OT Reading: Habakkuk 3:2-13 (GW)

3:2 Lord, I have heard the report about you.
Lord, I fear your work.
In the course of the years, renew it.
In the course of the years, reveal it.
In all this chaos, remember to be merciful.

God comes from Teman.
The Holy One comes from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covers the heavens.
His praise fills the earth.
His brightness is like the sunlight.
Rays of light ⌞stream⌟ from his hand.
That is where his power is hidden.
Diseases go ahead of him.
Plagues follow after him.
He stands and shakes the earth.
He casts a glance and startles the nations.
The oldest mountains break apart.
The ancient hills sink.
The ancient paths belong to him.
I see trouble in the tents of Cushan.
I see trembling in the tents of Midian.

The Lord is not angry with the rivers, is he?
If you are angry with the rivers,
if you are furious with the sea,
⌞why⌟ do you ride your horses,
your chariots of salvation?
You get your bow ready for action,
for the arrows ⌞you⌟ promised. Selah
You split the land with rivers.
The mountains look at you. They writhe in pain.
Floodwaters pass by.
The deep ocean roars. Its waves rise up high.
The sun and the moon stand still.
They scatter at the light of your arrows,
at the bright lightning of your spear.

You march through the earth with fury.
You trample the nations in anger.
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

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Take Command, O Lord [Hebrew Worship] – קח אתה את הפיקוד

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NT Reading: John 12:1-11 (GW)

Mary Prepares Jesus’ Body for the Tomb

12:1 Six days before Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany. Lazarus, whom Jesus had brought back to life, lived there. Dinner was prepared for Jesus in Bethany. Martha served the dinner, and Lazarus was one of the people eating with Jesus.

Mary took a bottle of very expensive perfume made from pure nard and poured it on Jesus’ feet. Then she dried his feet with her hair. The fragrance of the perfume filled the house.

One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray him, asked, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for a high price and the money given to the poor?” (Judas didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the moneybag and carried the contributions.) Jesus said to Judas, “Leave her alone! She has done this to prepare me for the day I will be placed in a tomb. You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you.”

A large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was in Bethany. So they went there not only to see Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had brought back to life. The chief priests planned to kill Lazarus too. Lazarus was the reason why many people were leaving the Jews and believing in Jesus.

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Jesus I Believe // Big Daddy Weave

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift justice and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Deliver the hostages from captivity and restore their souls. Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically – and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag down; unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out; upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon us understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally may embrace you. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May God our Redeemer
show us compassion and love.

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

The Lenten Season | Friday 15 Mar 2024: Psalm 51:1-12; Exodus 30:1-10; Hebrews 4:14-5:4 ~ Expect mercy and kindness when you go to God for help.

The Lenten Season | Friday 15 Mar 2024

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

Opening:

We can go confidently
to the throne of God’s kindness
to receive mercy and find kindness,
which will help us at the right time.
(Hebrews 4:16)

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From Psalms: Psalm Psalm 51 // Have Mercy | Caroline Cobb

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OT Reading: Exodus 30:1-10 (GW)

The Altar for Incense

30:1 ⌞The Lord continued,⌟ “Build an altar out of acacia wood for burning incense. Make it 18 inches square and 36 inches high. The horns and altar must be made out of one piece ⌞of wood⌟. Cover all of it with pure gold—the top, the sides, and the horns. Put a gold molding around it. Make two gold rings, and put them below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles for carrying it. Make the poles out of acacia wood, and cover them with gold. Put the altar in front of the canopy which ⌞hangs⌟ over the ark containing the words of my promise. I will meet with you there in front of the throne of mercy that is on the ark.

“Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on this altar every morning when he takes care of the lamps. Also, when Aaron lights the lamps at dusk, he must burn incense. For generations to come an incense offering must burn constantly in the Lord’s presence.

“Never burn any unauthorized incense on this altar or any burnt offerings or grain offerings. Never pour a wine offering on it. Once a year Aaron must make peace with the Lord by putting blood on its horns. Once a year—for generations to come—blood from the offering must be placed on the altar to make peace with the Lord. It is most holy to the Lord.”

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RACHEM (Mercy) – Transliteration // Levi Life Music

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NT Reading: Hebrews 4:14-5:4 (GW)

Christ Is Superior to Other Chief Priests

4:14 We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin. So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.

Every chief priest is chosen from humans to represent them in front of God, that is, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. The chief priest can be gentle with people who are ignorant and easily deceived, because he also has weaknesses. Because he has weaknesses, he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins in the same way that he does for the sins of his people.

No one takes this honor for himself. Instead, God calls him as he called Aaron.

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Before the Throne of God Above – Selah / Worship Videos

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Deliver the hostages from evil and restore their souls. Release from bondage every person connected to the death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And, grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically – and especially to 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 God our Redeemer
show us compassion and love.

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

The Lenten Season | Thursday 14 Mar 2024: Psalm 51:1-12; Isaiah 30:15-18; Hebrews 4:1-13 ~ Eternal rest awaits those who obey God.

The Lenten Season | Thursday 14 Mar 2024

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

Opening:

A time of eternal rest exists
for God’s people.
(Hebrews 4:9)

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From Psalms: Psalm 51 – A Broken Spirit and Contrite Heart // Sons of Korah | | Ed Sullivan

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OT Reading: Isaiah 30:15-18 (GW)

30:15 This is what the Almighty Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

You can be saved by returning to me.
You can have rest.
You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me.
But you don’t want that.
You’ve said, “No, we’ll flee on horses.”
So you flee.
You’ve added, “We’ll ride on fast horses.”
So those who chase you will also be fast.
One thousand people will flee when one person threatens them,
and you will flee when five threaten you.
Then you will be left alone
like a flagpole on top of a mountain,
like a signpost on a hill.
The Lord is waiting to be kind to you.
He rises to have compassion on you.
The Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all those who wait for him.

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Wait for the Lord (Taizé) // Chet Valley Churches

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NT Reading: Hebrews 4:1-13 (GW)

We Will Enter God’s Place of Rest

4:1 God’s promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won’t enter his place of rest. We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn’t help those who heard it in the past because they didn’t believe.

We who believe are entering that place of rest. As God said, “So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest.” God said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world. Somewhere in Scripture God has said this about the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”

God also said in the same passage, “They will never enter my place of rest.” However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter God’s place of rest because they did not obey God. So God set another day. That day is today. Many years after ⌞your ancestors failed to enter that place of rest⌟ God spoke about it through David in the passage already quoted: “If you hear God speak today, don’t be stubborn.” If Joshua had given the people rest, God would not have spoken about another day. Therefore, a time of eternal rest exists for God’s people. Those who entered his place of rest also rest from their work as God did from his.

So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.

God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions. No creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and exposed for him to see. We must answer to him.

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There is a Place of Quiet Rest Near to the Heart of God – The Wellman

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, into your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May God our Redeemer
show us compassion and love.

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

The Lenten Season | Wednesday 13 Mar 2024: Psalm 107:1-16; Isaiah 60:15-22; John 8:12-20 ~ Your life can be filled with light.

The Lenten Season | Wednesday 13 Mar 2024

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

Opening:

[Jesus] said, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me
will have a life filled with light
and will never live in the dark.”
(John 8:12)

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From Psalms: Psalm Psalm 107 // Rachel Cohen

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OT Reading: Isaiah 60:15-22 (GW)

60:15 “You have been abandoned and hated; no one has passed through you.
But now I will make you a source of everlasting pride,
a joy for all generations.
You will drink milk from other nations
and nurse at royal breasts.
Then you will know that I am the Lord, your Savior,
the Mighty One of Jacob, your Defender.

I will bring gold instead of bronze.
I will bring silver instead of iron,
bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stone.
I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler.
No longer will you hear about violence in your land
or desolation and destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

The sun will no longer be your light during the day,
nor will the brightness of the moon give you light,
But the Lord will be your everlasting light.
Your God will be your glory.
Your sun will no longer go down,
nor will your moon disappear.
The Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sadness will be over.
Then all your people will be righteous,
and they will possess the land permanently.
They will be the seedling I have planted,
the honored work of my hands.
The smallest of them will become a family.
The weakest of them will become a mighty nation.
At the right time I, the Lord, will make it happen quickly.”

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“Come Yeshua” by The Voice of One Calling, Hebrew, Arabic and English worship.

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NT Reading: John 8:12-20 (GW)

Jesus Speaks with the Pharisees about His Father

8:12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.”

The Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony isn’t true.”

Jesus replied to them, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is true because I know where I came from and where I’m going. However, you don’t know where I came from or where I’m going. You judge the way humans do. I don’t judge anyone. Even if I do judge, my judgment is valid because I don’t make it on my own. I make my judgment with the Father who sent me. Your own teachings say that the testimony of two people is true. I testify on my own behalf, and so does the Father who sent me.”

The Pharisees asked him, “Where is your father?”

Jesus replied, “You don’t know me or my Father. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”

Jesus spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury area of the temple courtyard. No one arrested him, because his time had not yet come.

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Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me ~ CityAlight // music meets heaven

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May God our Redeemer
show us compassion and love.

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

The Lenten Season | Tuesday 12 Mar 2024: Psalm 107:1-16; Numbers 20:1-13; 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 ~ You have the power to resist temptation.

The Lenten Season | Tuesday 12 Mar 2024

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

Opening:

God, who faithfully keeps his promises,
will not allow you
to be tempted beyond your power to resist.
(1 Corinthians 10:13)

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From Psalms: Psalm Psalm 107 // Wendell Kimbrough “Oh Give Thanks” | LIVE at Manci’s Antique Club

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OT Reading: Numbers 20:1-13 (GW)

Water from the Rock

20:1 In the first month the whole community of Israel came into the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there.

Since the community was without water, they came together to confront Moses and Aaron. The people complained to Moses and said, “If only we had died when the other Israelites died in the Lord’s presence! Did you bring the Lord’s assembly into this desert just to have us and our animals die here? Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us into this terrible place? This is no place to plant crops. Even figs, grapes, and pomegranates won’t grow here. And there’s no water to drink!”

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them.

The Lord said to Moses, “Take your staff, then you and your brother Aaron gather the community. Right before their eyes, tell the rock to give up its water. In this way you will give the community water from the rock for them and their animals to drink.”

Moses took his staff out of ⌞the tent in⌟ the Lord’s presence as he had been commanded. Then Moses and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock and said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock for you?” Moses raised his hand and hit the rock twice with the staff. Water came pouring out, and all the people and their animals drank.

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “You didn’t trust me! You didn’t show the Israelites how holy I am! So you will not bring this congregation into the land I’m giving them.”

This was the oasis of Meribah [Complaining], where the Israelites complained about the Lord and where he showed them he was holy.

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Only A Holy God // CityAlight

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NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 (GW)

10:6 These things have become examples for us so that we won’t desire what is evil, as they did. So don’t worship false gods as some of them did, as Scripture says, “The people sat down to a feast which turned into an orgy.” We shouldn’t sin sexually as some of them did. Twenty-three thousand of them died on one day. We shouldn’t put the Lord to the test as some of them did. They were killed by snakes. Don’t complain as some of them did. The angel of death destroyed them. These things happened to make them an example for others. These things were written down as a warning for us who are living in the closing days of history. So, people who think they are standing firmly should be careful that they don’t fall.

There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.