Easter Season | Monday 15 Apr 2024: Psalm 150; Jeremiah 30:1-11a; 1 John 3:10-16 ~ Do what’s right and love other believers.

Easter Season | Monday 15 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

Almighty God, you gave your only Son to be for us both a
sacrifice for sin and an example of godly living: Give us grace
thankfully to receive his inestimable benefits, and daily to follow
the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

This is the way God’s children are distinguished
from the devil’s children.
Everyone who doesn’t do what is right
or love other believers isn’t God’s child.
(1 John 3:10)

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From Psalms: Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord) | Matt Papa & Matt Boswell / coram deo

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OT Reading: Jeremiah 30:1-11a (GW)

Israel’s Glorious Future

30:1 The Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Write in a book everything that I tell you. The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity. I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will take possession of it.”

This is the message that the Lord spoke about Israel and Judah: “This is what the Lord says:

“We hear cries of fear, cries of panic, not cries of peace.
Ask now, and see: Can a man give birth to a child?
Why, then, do I see every strong man holding his stomach in pain
like a woman giving birth to a child?
Why has every face turned pale?
How terrible that day will be!
There will be no other day like it.
It will be a time of calamity for the descendants of Jacob,
but they will be rescued from it.

“On that day,” declares the Lord of Armies, “I will break the yokes off your necks and tear off your ropes. Foreigners will no longer make you serve them. You will serve the Lord your God and David your king. I will establish him for you.

“Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob,” declares the Lord.
“Don’t be terrified, Israel.
I’m going to rescue you from a faraway place.
I’m going to rescue your descendants from where they are captives.
The descendants of Jacob will again have peace and security,
and no one will frighten them.
I am with you, and I will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

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Rescue – Bethel Music feat. Lauren Daigle | Peace, Vol II

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NT Reading: 1 John 3:10-16 (GW)

3:10 This is the way God’s children are distinguished from the devil’s children. Everyone who doesn’t do what is right or love other believers isn’t God’s child.

Love One Another

3:11 The message that you have heard from the beginning is to love each other. Don’t be like Cain. He was a child of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain murder his brother? Because the things Cain did were evil and the things his brother did had God’s approval. Brothers and sisters, don’t be surprised if the world hates you.

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love other believers. The person who doesn’t grow in love remains in death. Everyone who hates another believer is a murderer, and you know that a murderer doesn’t have eternal life.

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.

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Song Of Love | One Voice | 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.

+ 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.

+ 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.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love 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 | 3rd Sunday 14 Apr 2024: Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48 ~ Turn to God and change your thinking and behavior.

Easter Season | 3rd Sunday 14 Apr 2024

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

Opening prayer:

“Scripture also says that by the authority of Jesus
people would be told to turn to God
and change the way they think and act
so that their sins will be forgiven.”
(Luke 24:47)

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Thine Be The Glory | New Scottish Hymns Band

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Reading from Acts of the Apostles: Acts 3:12-19 (GW)

3:12 When Peter saw this, he said to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed about this man? Why are you staring at us as though we have made him walk by our own power or godly life? The God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed Jesus over to Pilate. You rejected him in Pilate’s presence, even though Pilate had decided to let him go free. You rejected the man who was holy and innocent. You asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the source of life. But God brought him back to life, and we are witnesses to that. We believe in the one named Jesus. Through his power alone this man, whom you know, was healed, as all of you saw.

“And now, brothers, I know that like your rulers you didn’t know what you were doing. But in this way God made the sufferings of his Messiah come true. God had predicted these sufferings through all the prophets. So change the way you think and act, and turn ⌞to God⌟ to have your sins removed.

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From the Psalms: Psalm 4 – The Corner Room

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Reading from the Letters: 1 John 3:1-7 (GW)

3:1 Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God’s dear children. And that’s what we are. For this reason the world doesn’t recognize us, and it didn’t recognize him either. Dear friends, now we are God’s children. What we will be isn’t completely clear yet. We do know that when Christ appears we will be like him because we will see him as he is. So all people who have this confidence in Christ keep themselves pure, as Christ is pure.

Those who live sinful lives are disobeying God. Sin is disobedience. You know that Christ appeared in order to take away our sins. He isn’t sinful. Those who live in Christ don’t go on sinning. Those who go on sinning haven’t seen or known Christ.

Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you. Whoever does what God approves of has God’s approval as Christ has God’s approval.

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Repent (What A Joy It Is) | The Worship Initiative feat. Davy Flowers

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Reading from the Gospels: Luke 24:36-48 (GW)

Jesus Appears to the Apostles

2:36 While they were talking about what had happened, Jesus stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you!” They were terrified, and thought they were seeing a ghost.

He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Why do you have doubts? Look at my hands and feet, and see that it’s really me. Touch me, and see for yourselves. Ghosts don’t have flesh and bones, but you can see that I do.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

The disciples were overcome with joy and amazement because this seemed too good to be true. Then Jesus asked them, “Do you have anything to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it and ate it while they watched him.

Then he said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you. I told you that everything written about me in Moses’ Teachings, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He said to them, “Scripture says that the Messiah would suffer and that he would come back to life on the third day. Scripture also says that by the authority of Jesus people would be told to turn to God and change the way they think and act so that their sins will be forgiven. This would be told to people from all nations, beginning in the city of Jerusalem. You are witnesses to these things.

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I Speak Jesus – Kings Porch | music meets heaven

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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.

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 | Saturday 13 Apr 2024: Psalm 4; Acts 3:1-10; Luke 22:24-30 ~ The inverse of Kingdom greatness.

Easter Season | Saturday 13 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“But you’re not going to be that way!
Rather, the greatest among you
must be like the youngest,
and your leader must be like a servant.”
(Luke 22:26)

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From Psalms: Psalm 4 | Wells Worship (Live)

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NT Reading: Acts 3:1-10 (GW)

A Lame Man Is Healed

3:1 Peter and John were going to the temple courtyard for the three o’clock prayer. At the same time, a man who had been lame from birth was being carried by some men. Every day these men would put the lame man at a gate in the temple courtyard. The gate was called Beautiful Gate. There he would beg for handouts from people going into the courtyard. When the man saw that Peter and John were about to go into the courtyard, he asked them for a handout.

Peter and John stared at him. “Look at us!” Peter said. So the man watched them closely. He expected to receive something from them. However, Peter said to him, “I don’t have any money, but I’ll give you what I do have. Through the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, walk!” Peter took hold of the man’s right hand and began to help him up. Immediately, the man’s feet and ankles became strong. Springing to his feet, he stood up and started to walk. He went with Peter and John into the temple courtyard. The man was walking, jumping, and praising God.

All the people saw him walking and praising God. They knew that he was the man who used to sit and beg at the temple’s Beautiful Gate. The people were amazed and stunned to see what had happened to him.

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Healer – Hillsong / Gary McDuffee

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Gospels Reading: Luke 22:24-30 (GW)

An Argument about Greatness

22:24 Then a quarrel broke out among the disciples. They argued about who should be considered the greatest.

Jesus said to them, “The kings of nations have power over their people, and those in authority call themselves friends of the people. But you’re not going to be that way! Rather, the greatest among you must be like the youngest, and your leader must be like a servant. Who’s the greatest, the person who sits at the table or the servant? Isn’t it really the person who sits at the table? But I’m among you as a servant.

“You have stood by me in the troubles that have tested me. So as my Father has given me a kingdom, I’m giving it to you. You will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. You will also sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.”

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This Is The Kingdom: Song Session | Elevation Worship

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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 [especially in the Holy Land]; 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.

+ 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.

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 | Friday 12 Apr 2024: Psalm 4; Daniel 10:2-19; 1 John 2:26-28 ~ Live confidently as God’s children in Christ.

Easter Season | Friday 12 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

“Now, dear children, live in Christ.”
(1 John 2:28)

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From Psalms: Psalm 4 – “In You I Trust” | My Soul Among Lions / Joseph Spurgeon

OT Reading: Daniel 10:2-19 (GW)

10:2 During those days I, Daniel, mourned for three whole weeks. I didn’t eat any good-tasting food. No meat or wine entered my mouth. I didn’t wash myself until the entire three weeks were over.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was by the great Tigris River. When I looked up, I saw a man dressed in linen, and he had a belt made of gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl. His face looked like lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and legs looked like polished bronze. When he spoke, his voice sounded like the roar of a crowd. I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision. The men with me didn’t see the vision. Yet, they started to tremble violently, and they quickly hid themselves. So I was left alone to see this grand vision. I had no strength left in me. My face turned deathly pale, and I was helpless. I heard the man speak, and as I listened to his words, I fainted facedown on the ground.

Then a hand touched me and made my hands and knees shake. The man said to me, “Daniel, you are highly respected. Pay attention to my words. Stand up, because I’ve been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, trembling. He told me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. God has heard everything that you said ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in front of your God so that you could learn to understand things. I have come in response to your prayer. The commander of the Persian kingdom opposed me for 21 days. But then Michael, one of the chief commanders, came to help me because I was left alone with the kings of Persia. I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the last days, because the vision is about times still to come.”

When he said this to me, I bowed down with my face touching the ground and was silent. Then someone who looked like a human touched my lips. I opened my mouth and began to talk. I said to the person standing in front of me, “Sir, because of this vision, pain has overwhelmed me, and I’m helpless. How can I talk to you, sir? I have no strength left, and the wind has been knocked out of me.”

Again, the person who looked like a human touched me, and I became stronger. He said, “Don’t be afraid. You are highly respected. Everything is alright! Be strong! Be strong!”

As he talked to me, I became stronger. I said, “Sir, tell me what you came to say. You have strengthened me.”

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You Raise Me Up – Selah / GloryToFatherGod

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NT Reading: 1 John 2:26-28 (GW)

2:26 I’m writing to you about those who are trying to deceive you. The anointing you received from Christ lives in you. You don’t need anyone to teach you something else. Instead, Christ’s anointing teaches you about everything. His anointing is true and contains no lie. So live in Christ as he taught you to do.

We Are God’s Children

Now, dear children, live in Christ. Then, when he appears we will have confidence, and when he comes we won’t turn from him in shame.

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While I Wait | Taylor Holland Armstrong

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: We hold up all our weaknesses to your strength, our failures to your faithfulness, our sinfulness to your perfection, our loneliness to your compassion, our pains to your great agony on the Cross. We pray that you will cleanse us, strengthen us, guide us, so that in all ways our lives may be lived as you would have them lived, without cowardice and for you alone. Show us how to live in true humility, true contrition, and true love. 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 | Thursday 11 Apr 2024: Psalm 4; Daniel 9:1-19; 1 John 2:18-25 ~ Live in Christ’s promise of eternal life.

Easter Season | Thursday 11 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

“If [the message you heard from the beginning] lives in you,
you will also live in the Son and in the Father.
Christ has given us the promise of eternal life.”
(1 John 2:24-25)

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From Psalms: Psalm 4 – (When I Call) / The Psalms Project [feat. Melissa Breems]

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OT Reading: Daniel 9:1-19 (GW)

Daniel’s Prayer about Jerusalem Is Answered

9:1 Xerxes’ son Darius, who was a Mede by birth, was made ruler of the kingdom of Babylon. In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from the Scriptures the number of years that Jerusalem would remain in ruins. The Lord had told the prophet Jeremiah that Jerusalem would remain in ruins for 70 years. So I turned to the Lord God and looked to him for help. I prayed, pleaded, and fasted in sackcloth and ashes.

I prayed to the Lord my God. I confessed and said, “Lord, you are great and deserve respect as the only God. You keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments. We have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from your commandments and laws. We haven’t listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, leaders, ancestors, and all the common people. You, Lord, are righteous. But we—the men of Judah, the citizens of Jerusalem, and all the Israelites whom you scattered in countries near and far—are still ashamed because we have been unfaithful to you. We, our kings, leaders, and ancestors are ashamed because we have sinned against you, Lord.

“But you, Lord our God, are compassionate and forgiving, although we have rebelled against you. We never listened to you or lived by the teachings you gave us through your servants the prophets. All Israel has ignored your teachings and refused to listen to you. So you brought on us the curses you swore in an oath, the curses written in the Teachings of your servant Moses. We sinned against you. So you did what you said you would do to us and our rulers by bringing a great disaster on us. Nowhere in the world has anything ever happened like what has happened to Jerusalem. This entire disaster happened to us, exactly as it was written in Moses’ Teachings. Lord our God, we never tried to gain your favor by turning from our wrongs and dedicating ourselves to your truth. So you were prepared to bring this disaster on us. Lord our God, you are righteous in everything you do. But we never listened to you.

“Lord our God, you brought your people out of Egypt with your strong hand and made yourself famous even today. We have sinned and done evil things. Lord, since you are very righteous, turn your anger and fury away from your city, Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Jerusalem and your people are insulted by everyone around us because of our sins and the wicked things our ancestors did.

“Our God, listen to my prayer and request. For your own sake, Lord, look favorably on your holy place, which is lying in ruins. Open your ears and listen, my God. Open your eyes and look at our ruins and at the city called by your name. We are not requesting this from you because we are righteous, but because you are very compassionate. Listen to us, Lord. Forgive us, Lord. Pay attention, and act. Don’t delay! Do this for your sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

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

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NT Reading: 1 John 2:18-25 (GW)

Live in Christ

2:18 Children, it’s the end of time. You’ve heard that an antichrist is coming. Certainly, many antichrists are already here. That’s how we know it’s the end of time. They left us. However, they were never really part of us. If they had been, they would have stayed with us. But by leaving they made it clear that none of them were part of us.

The Holy One has anointed you, so all of you have knowledge. I’m writing to you because you know the truth, not because you don’t know the truth. You know that no lie ever comes from the truth.

Who is a liar? Who else but the person who rejects Jesus as the Messiah? The person who rejects the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Everyone who rejects the Son doesn’t have the Father either. The person who acknowledges the Son also has the Father. Make sure that the message you heard from the beginning lives in you. If that message lives in you, you will also live in the Son and in the Father. Christ has given us the promise of eternal life.