Easter Season | Thursday 25 Apr 2024: Psalm 22:25-31; Amos 8:1-7; Acts 8:1b-8 ~ Philip brings Good News to Samaria.

Easter Season | Thursday 25 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ
is the Good Shepherd of your people:
Grant that, when we hear his voice,
we may know him who calls us each by name,
and follow where he leads; who,
with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Philip went to the city of Samaria
and told people about the Messiah.”
(Acts 8:5)

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From Psalms: Psalm 22:25-31: Dornoch Free Church

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OT Reading: Amos 8:1-7 (GW)

The End Has Come for Israel

8:1 This is what the Almighty Lord showed me: a basket of ripe summer fruit.

He asked, “What do you see, Amos?”

“A basket of ripe summer fruit,” I answered.

Then the Lord said to me, “My people Israel are now ripe. I will no longer overlook what they have done. On that day the songs of the temple will become loud cries,” declares the Almighty Lord. “There will be dead bodies scattered everywhere. Hush!”

Listen to this, those who trample on the needy
and ruin those who are oppressed in the world.
You say to yourselves,
“When will the New Moon Festival be over
so that we can sell more grain?
When will the day of rest—a holy day, be over
so that we can sell more wheat?
We can shrink the size of the bushel baskets,
increase the cost,
and cheat with dishonest scales.
We can buy the poor with money
and the needy for a pair of sandals.
We can sell the husks mixed in with the wheat.”

The Lord has sworn an oath by Jacob’s pride:
“I will never forget anything that they have done.”

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Rachem (Mercy) / LEVI LIFE MUSIC

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NT Reading: Acts 8:1b-8 (GW)

8:1b On that day widespread persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. Most believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Devout men buried Stephen as they mourned loudly for him.

Saul tried to destroy the church. He dragged men and women out of one home after another and threw them into prison.

Some Samaritans Become Believers

8:4 The believers who were scattered went from place to place, where they spread the word. Philip went to the city of Samaria and told people about the Messiah. The crowds paid close attention to what Philip said. They listened to him and saw the miracles that he performed. Evil spirits screamed as they came out of the many people they had possessed. Many paralyzed and lame people were cured. As a result, that city was extremely happy.

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Jesus Messiah – Chris Tomlin / Grace Bible Church – Adell

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your Church, that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. 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 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.

+ 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 risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

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

Easter Season | Wednesday 24 Apr 2024: Psalm 95; Micah 7:8-20; Mark 14:26-31 ~ Who is a God like you?

Easter Season | Wednesday 24 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

Who is a God like you?
You forgive sin
and overlook the rebellion of your faithful people.
(Micah 7:18a)

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From Psalms: Psalm 95: – Poor Bishop Hooper

oh come let us sing to the lord
let us make joyful noise to the rock
of our salvation let us come unto him
with thanksgiving and songs of praise

in his hand are the depths of the earth
the heights of the mountains
the sea is his formed by his hands
and the dry land he made it

oh come let us sing to the lord
let us make joyful noise to the rock
of our salvation let us come unto him
with thanksgiving and songs of praise

this day if you hear his voice
do not harden your hearts
as the day in the wilderness
as your fathers did

oh come let us worship and bow
let us kneel down before our maker
for he is god and we are the people
the sheep of his pasture

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OT Reading: Micah 7:8-20 (GW)

7:8 Don’t laugh at me, my enemies.
Although I’ve fallen, I will get up.
Although I sit in the dark, the Lord is my light.
I have sinned against the Lord.
So I will endure his fury
until he takes up my cause and wins my case.
He will bring me into the light,
and I will see his victory.
Then my enemies will see this, and they will be covered with shame,
because they asked me, “Where is the Lord your God?”
Now I look at them.
They are trampled like mud in the streets.

The day for rebuilding your walls
and extending your borders is coming.
When that day comes, your people will come to you
from Assyria and the cities of Egypt,
from Egypt to the Euphrates River,
from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.
The earth will become a wasteland for those who live on it
because of what the people living there have done.

With your shepherd’s staff, take care of your people,
the sheep that belong to you.
They live alone in the woods, in fertile pastures.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead like before.
Let us see miracles
like the time you came out of Egypt.
Nations will see this and be ashamed in spite of all their strength.
They will put their hands over their mouths.
Their ears will become deaf.
They will lick dust like snakes,
like animals that crawl on the ground.
They will come out of their hiding places trembling.
They will turn away from your presence in fear, O Lord our God.
They will be afraid of you.
Who is a God like you?
You forgive sin
and overlook the rebellion of your faithful people.
You will not be angry forever,
because you would rather show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us.
You will overcome our wrongdoing.
You will throw all our sins into the deep sea.
You will be faithful to Jacob.
You will have mercy on Abraham
as you swore by an oath to our ancestors long ago.

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Who is like our God? – Dustin Smith

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NT Reading: Mark 14:26-31 (GW)

14:26 After they sang a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

14:27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will abandon me. Scripture says,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’

“But after I am brought back to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you.”

Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else abandons you, I won’t.”

Jesus said to Peter, “I can guarantee this truth: Tonight, before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don’t know me.”

But Peter said very strongly, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never say that I don’t know you.” All the other disciples said the same thing.

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Father of all Mercies – One Voice Concert | Pe Echad | פה אחד / Hebrew Worship from Israel

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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.

+ Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

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

Easter Season | Tuesday 23 Apr 2024: Psalm 95; 1 Chronicles 11:1-9; Revelation 7:13-17 ~ The lamb of God will lead us.

Easter Season | Tuesday 23 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ
is the Good Shepherd of your people:
Grant that, when we hear his voice,
we may know him who calls us each by name,
and follow where he leads;
who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“The lamb in the center near the throne
will be their shepherd.”
(Revelation 7:13-17a)

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From Psalms: Psalm 95: Psalm 95 Song Word For Word (ESV) / Zac Fitzsimmons

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OT Reading: 1 Chronicles 11:1-9 (GW)

David Anointed King of Israel

11:1 All Israel gathered around David at Hebron. “We are your own flesh and blood,” they said. “Even in the past when Saul ruled, you were the one who led Israel on its campaigns to war. The Lord your God has said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, the leader of my people Israel.’ ”

All the leaders of Israel had come to Hebron. David made an agreement with them at Hebron in front of the Lord. So they anointed David king of Israel, as the Lord had spoken through Samuel.

David Captures Jerusalem

11:4 David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites were living in that region. They told David, “You will never get in here.” But David captured the fortress Zion (that is, the City of David).

Now, David said, “Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will be made a general and a prince.” Zeruiah’s son Joab was the first to go ⌞into Jerusalem⌟, so he became the general.

David lived in the fortress, so it was called the City of David. He built the city ⌞of Jerusalem⌟ around it, starting from the Millo and making a complete circuit. Joab rebuilt the rest of the city. David continued to grow more powerful because the Lord of Armies was with him.

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Jerusalem of Gold ירושלים של זהב / Israel Police – משטרת ישראל

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NT Reading: Revelation 7:13-17 (GW)

7:13 One of the leaders asked me, “Who are these people wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”

I answered him, “Sir, you know.”
Then he told me,

“These are the people who are coming out of the terrible suffering.
They have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the lamb.
That is why they are in front of the throne of God.
They serve him day and night in his temple.
The one who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
They will never be hungry or thirsty again.
Neither the sun nor any burning heat will ever overcome them.
The lamb in the center near the throne will be their shepherd.
He will lead them to springs filled with the water of life,
and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

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There Will Be A Day // Resound Worship

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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.

+ 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 risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

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

Easter Season | Monday 22 Apr 2024: Psalm 95; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-5 ~ Shepherd the flock entrusted to you.

Easter Season | Monday 22 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ
is the Good Shepherd of your people:
Grant that, when we hear his voice,
we may know him who calls us each by name,
and follow where he leads;
who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Be shepherds over the flock
God has entrusted to you.”
(1 Peter 5:2)

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From Psalms: Psalm 95: ‘Come let us’ – Half a Mile

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OT Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (GW)

David Chosen to Be King

16:1 The Lord asked Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul now that I have rejected him as king of Israel? Fill a flask with olive oil and go. I’m sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem because I’ve selected one of his sons to be king.”

“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “When Saul hears about it, he’ll kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. I will reveal to you what you should do, and you will anoint for me the one I point out to you.”

Samuel did what the Lord told him. When he came to Bethlehem, the leaders of the city, trembling with fear, greeted him and said, “May peace be with you.”

“Greetings,” he replied, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He performed the ceremonies for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they came, he saw Eliab and thought, “Certainly, here in the Lord’s presence is his anointed king.”

But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”

Then Jesse had Shammah come to Samuel. “The Lord has not chosen this one either,” Samuel said. So Jesse brought seven ⌞more⌟ of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen ⌞any of⌟ these. Are these all the sons you have?”

“There’s still the youngest one,” Jesse answered. “He’s tending the sheep.”

Samuel told Jesse, “Send someone to get him. We won’t continue until he gets here.”

So Jesse sent for him. He had a healthy complexion, attractive eyes, and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go ahead, anoint him. He is the one.” Samuel took the flask of olive oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers. The Lord’s Spirit came over David and stayed with him from that day on. Then Samuel left for Ramah.

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Listen To Our Hearts – Casting Crowns / TheCatLadyJ

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NT Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-5 (GW)

Instructions for Spiritual Leaders

5:1 I appeal to your spiritual leaders. I make this appeal as a spiritual leader who also witnessed Christ’s sufferings and will share in the glory that will be revealed. Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don’t do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don’t do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve. Don’t be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow. Then, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Instructions for Christians

5:5 Young people, in a similar way, place yourselves under the authority of spiritual leaders.

Furthermore, all of you must serve each other with humility, because God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble.

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Will You Let Me Be your Servant | Highland Baptist Church Kitchener

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served, but to serve: We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others [especially in the Holy Land]; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, through your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

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

Easter Season | 4th Sunday 21 Apr 2024: Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18 ~ The Good Shepherd

Easter Season | 4th Sunday 21 Apr 2024

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ
is the Good Shepherd of your people:
Grant that, when we hear his voice,
we may know him who calls us each by name,
and follow where he leads;
who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.”
(John 10:11)

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My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (Cornerstone) | Hillsong Worship [Chet Valley Churches]

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Reading from Acts of the Apostles: Acts 4:5-12 (GW)

4:5 The next day the Jewish rulers, the leaders, and the experts in Moses’ Teachings met in Jerusalem. The chief priest Annas, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the rest of the chief priest’s family were present. They made Peter and John stand in front of them and then asked, “By what power or in whose name did you do this?”

Then Peter, because he was filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and leaders of the people, today you are cross-examining us about the good we did for a crippled man. You want to know how he was made well. You and all the people of Israel must understand that this man stands in your presence with a healthy body because of the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You crucified Jesus Christ, but God has brought him back to life. He is the stone that the builders rejected, the stone that has become the cornerstone. No one else can save us. Indeed, we can be saved only by the power of the one named Jesus and not by any other person.”

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From the Psalms: Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my Shepherd.” | Ingrid DuMosch / citrail

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Reading from the Letters: 1 John 3:16-24 (GW)

3:16 We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers. Now, suppose a person has enough to live on and notices another believer in need. How can God’s love be in that person if he doesn’t bother to help the other believer? Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.

This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and how we will be reassured in his presence. Whenever our conscience condemns us, we will be reassured that God is greater than our conscience and knows everything. Dear friends, if our conscience doesn’t condemn us, we can boldly look to God and receive from him anything we ask. We receive it because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. This is his commandment: to believe in his Son, the one named Jesus Christ, and to love each other as he commanded us. Those who obey Christ’s commandments live in God, and God lives in them. We know that he lives in us because he has given us the Spirit.

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And Can It Be That I Should Gain (Sovereign Grace Music) / SonLife Ministries

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Reading from the Gospels: John 10:11-18 (GW)

10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. A hired hand isn’t a shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep. When he sees a wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and quickly runs away. So the wolf drags the sheep away and scatters the flock. The hired hand is concerned about what he’s going to get paid and not about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. So I give my life for my sheep. I also have other sheep that are not from this pen. I must lead them. They, too, will respond to my voice. So they will be one flock with one shepherd. The Father loves me because I give my life in order to take it back again. No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will. I have the authority to give my life, and I have the authority to take my life back again. This is what my Father ordered me to do.”

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Lead On Good Shepherd (Patrick Mayberry) / Martin Clarke

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

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

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