Easter Season | Wednesday 10 Apr 2024: Psalm 135; Isaiah 26:1-15; Mark 12:18-27 ~ Risen like angels in heaven.

Easter Season | Wednesday 10 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.

“When the dead come back to life,
they don’t marry. Rather,
they are like the angels in heaven.”
(Mark 12:25)

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From Psalms: Psalm 135 – Poor Bishop Hooper

praise the lord
praise the name of the lord
give praise o servants of the lord
who stand in the house of the lord

in the courts of the house of our god

oh oh praise the lord
oh oh for he is good
oh oh sing to his name
for i know the lord he is great

our lord is above
whatever he pleases he does
on earth and in heaven
he brings forth the wind

it was he who struck down egypt
against pharaoh and his servants
who struck down many nations
and gave their land as heritage

oh oh praise the lord
oh oh for he is good
oh oh sing to his name
for i know the lord he is great

the idols of the nations are silver and gold
the work of human hands they have mouths but they don’t
speak they have ears but they do not hear
but you who fear the lord bless the lord
you who fear the lord

oh oh praise the lord
oh oh for he is good
oh oh sing to his name
for i know the lord he is great

OT Reading: Isaiah 26:1-15 (GW)

The Lord’s People Praise Him for Salvation

26:1 On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

We have a strong city.
Its walls and fortifications provide safety.

Open the gates, and let the righteous nation come in,
the nation that remains faithful.
With perfect peace you will protect those whose minds cannot be changed,
because they trust you.
Trust the Lord always,
because the Lord, the Lord alone, is an everlasting rock.
He has brought down those who live high in the towering city.
He levels it.
He levels it to the ground and throws it into the dust.
Feet trample it,
the feet of the oppressed,
the footsteps of the poor.

The path of the righteous is level.
O Upright One, you make the road of the righteous smooth.
Certainly, we wait with hope for you, O Lord,
⌞as we follow⌟ the path of your guiding principles.
We want to remember you and your name.
With my soul I long for you at night.
Yes, with my spirit I eagerly look for you.
When your guiding principles are on earth,
those who live in the world learn to do what is right.
Although the wicked are shown pity,
they do not learn to do what is right.
They do what is wrong in the upright land
and do not see the majesty of the Lord.
O Lord, your power is visible, but they do not see it.
They will see how devoted your people are,
and they will be put to shame.
Your burning anger will destroy your enemies.

O Lord, you will establish peace for us,
since you have done everything for us.
O Lord, our God, you are not the only master to rule us,
but we acknowledge only you.
The wicked are dead.
They are no longer alive.
The spirits of the dead won’t rise.
You have punished them, destroyed them,
and wiped out all memory of them.
You have expanded the nation, O Lord.
You have expanded the nation.
You are honored.
You have extended all the land’s boundaries.

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Faithful | Hebrew Worship from Israel – One Voice | Pe Echad | פה אחד

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NT Reading: Mark 12:18-27 (GW)

The Dead Come Back to Life

12:18 Some Sadducees, who say that people will never come back to life, came to Jesus. They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother should marry his widow and have children for his brother.’ There were seven brothers. The first got married and died without having children. The second married her and died without having children. So did the third. None of the seven brothers had any children. Last of all, the woman died. When the dead come back to life, whose wife will she be? The seven brothers had married her.”

Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you mistaken because you don’t know the Scriptures or God’s power? When the dead come back to life, they don’t marry. Rather, they are like the angels in heaven. Haven’t you read in the book of Moses that the dead come back to life? It’s in the passage about the bush, where God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ He’s not the God of the dead but of the living. You’re badly mistaken!”

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One Day (When We All Get To Heaven) | The Worship Initiative feat. Bethany Barnard

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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.

+ Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, for ever and ever. 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 09 Apr 2024: Psalm 135; Daniel 6:1-28; 1 John 2:12-17 ~ Obey God and live forever.

Easter Season | Tuesday 09 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

The world and its evil desires are passing away.
But the person who does what God wants
lives forever.
(1 John 2:17)

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From Psalms: Psalm 135 – Living H2o

OT Reading: Daniel 6:1-28 (GW)

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

6:1 Darius decided it would be good to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom. Over these satraps were three officials. Daniel was one of these officials. The satraps were to report to these three officials so that the king wouldn’t be cheated.

This man, Daniel, distinguished himself among the other officials and satraps because there was an extraordinary spirit in him. The king thought about putting him in charge of the whole kingdom. So the other officials and satraps tried to find something to accuse Daniel of in his duties for the kingdom. But they couldn’t find anything wrong because he was trustworthy. No error or fault could be found. These men said, “We won’t find anything to accuse this man, Daniel, unless we find it in his religious practices.”

So these officials and satraps went to the king as a group. They said to him, “May King Darius live forever! All the officials, governors, satraps, advisers, and mayors agree that the king should make a statute and enforce a decree. The decree should state that for the next 30 days whoever asks for anything from any god or person except you, Your Majesty, will be thrown into a lions’ den. Your Majesty, issue this decree, and sign it. According to the law of the Medes and Persians no one could change it or repeal it.” So Darius signed the written decree.

When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. An upper room in his house had windows that opened in the direction of Jerusalem. Three times each day he got down on his knees and prayed to his God. He had always praised God this way.

One of those times the men came in as a group and found Daniel praying and pleading to his God. Then they went and spoke to the king about his decree. ⌞They asked,⌟ “Didn’t you sign a decree which stated that for 30 days whoever asks for anything from any god or person except you, Your Majesty, will be thrown into a lions’ den?”

The king answered, “That’s true. According to the law of the Medes and Persians the decree can’t be repealed.”

They replied, “Your Majesty, Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, refuses to obey your order or the decree that you signed. He prays three times each day.”

The king was very displeased when he heard this. He tried every way he could think of to save Daniel. Until sundown he did everything he could to rescue him.

Then Daniel’s accusers gathered in front of the king. They said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, the Medes and Persians have a law that no decree or statute the king makes can be changed.”

So the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought to him and thrown into the lions’ den. The king told Daniel, “May your God, whom you always worship, save you!”

A stone was brought and placed over the opening of the den. The king put his seal on the stone, using his ring and the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation could not be changed.

Then the king went to his palace and spent the night without food or company. He couldn’t get to sleep. At dawn, as soon as it was light, the king got up and quickly went to the lions’ den. As he came near the den where Daniel was, the king called to Daniel with anguish in his voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was God, whom you always worship, able to save you from the lions?”

Daniel said to the king, “Your Majesty, may you live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they couldn’t hurt me. He did this because he considered me innocent. Your Majesty, I haven’t committed any crime.”

The king was overjoyed and had Daniel taken out of the den. When Daniel was taken out of the den, people saw that he was completely unharmed because he trusted his God.

The king ordered those men who had brought charges against Daniel to be brought to him. They, their wives, and their children were thrown into the lions’ den. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions attacked them and crushed all their bones.

Then King Darius wrote to the people of every province, nation, and language all over the world:

I wish you peace and prosperity.

I decree that in every part of my kingdom people should tremble with terror in front of Daniel’s God, the living God who continues forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His power lasts to the end ⌞of time⌟. He saves, rescues, and does miraculous signs and amazing things in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions.

This man, Daniel, prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

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No One Like Our God – Lincoln Brewster [ Official ]

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NT Reading: 1 John 2:12-17 (GW)

Don’t Love the World

2:12 I’m writing to you, dear children, because your sins are forgiven through Christ.

I’m writing to you, fathers, because you know Christ who has existed from the beginning.

I’m writing to you, young people, because you have won the victory over the evil one.

I’ve written to you, children, because you know the Father.

I’ve written to you, fathers, because you know Christ, who has existed from the beginning.

I’ve written to you, young people, because you are strong and God’s word lives in you. You have won the victory over the evil one.

Don’t love the world and what it offers. Those who love the world don’t have the Father’s love in them. Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father. It comes from the world, and the world and its evil desires are passing away. But the person who does what God wants lives forever.

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Be Thou My Vision • T4G Live III [Official | Sovereign Grace Music

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. 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 08 Apr 2024: Psalm 135; Daniel 3:1-30; 1 John 2:3-11 ~ To know Christ is to obey him.

Easter Season | Monday 08 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

We are sure that we know Christ
if we obey his commandments.
(1 John 2:3)

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From Psalms: Psalm 135 – Byzantine music video with English subtitles.

OT Reading: Daniel 3:1-30 (GW)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Refuse to Worship an Idol

3:1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. He set it up in a recessed area in the wall in the province of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar sent messengers to assemble the satraps, governors, mayors, military advisers, treasurers, judges, officers, and all the other provincial officials to dedicate the statue he had set up. Then the satraps, governors, mayors, military advisers, treasurers, judges, officers, and all the other provincial officials assembled to dedicate the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They stood in front of the statue.

The herald called out loudly, “People of every province, nation, and language! When you hear the sound of rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps playing at the same time with all other kinds of instruments, bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever doesn’t bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” As soon as they heard the sound of rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps with all other kinds of instruments, all the people from every province, nation, and language bowed down and worshiped the gold statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

After that happened, some astrologers came forward and brought charges against the Jews. They addressed King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your Majesty, may you live forever! Your Majesty, you gave an order that everyone who hears the sound of rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps playing at the same time with all other kinds of instruments should bow down and worship the gold statue. ⌞Your order said that⌟ whoever doesn’t bow down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. There are certain Jews whom you appointed to govern the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men didn’t obey your order, Your Majesty. They don’t honor your gods or worship the statue that you set up.”

Then, in a fit of rage and anger, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Immediately, they were brought to the king. Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you don’t honor my gods or worship the gold statue that I set up? When you hear the sound of the rams’ horns, flutes, lyres, harps, and three-stringed harps playing at the same time with all other kinds of instruments, will you bow down and worship the gold statue I made? If you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. What god can save you from my power then?”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “We don’t need to answer your last question. If our God, whom we honor, can save us from a blazing furnace and from your power, he will, Your Majesty. But if he doesn’t, you should know, Your Majesty, we’ll never honor your gods or worship the gold statue that you set up.”

Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with anger toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face turned red. He ordered that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than normal. He told some soldiers from his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego so that they could be thrown into the blazing furnace. Then the three men were thrown into the blazing furnace. They were wearing their clothes, hats, and other clothing. The king’s order was so urgent and the furnace was so extremely hot that the men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were killed by the flames from the fire. So these three men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—fell into the blazing furnace. They were still tied up.

Then Nebuchadnezzar was startled. He sprang to his feet. He asked his advisers, “Didn’t we throw three men into the fire?”

“That’s true, Your Majesty,” they answered.

The king replied, “But look, I see four men. They’re untied, walking in the middle of the fire, and unharmed. The fourth one looks like a son of the gods.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar went to the door of the blazing furnace and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—servants of the Most High God—come out here.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. The king’s satraps, governors, mayors, and advisers gathered around the three men. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies. The hair on their heads wasn’t singed, their clothes weren’t burned, and they didn’t smell of smoke.

Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He sent his angel and saved his servants, who trusted him. They disobeyed the king and risked their lives so that they would not have to honor or worship any god except their own God. So I order that people from every province, nation, or language who say anything slanderous about the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn limb from limb. Their houses will be turned into piles of rubble. No other god can rescue like this.”

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to higher positions in the province of Babylon.

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Another In The Fire – Hillsong UNITED | Light of the World

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NT Reading: 1 John 2:3-11 (GW)

Those Who Know Christ Obey His Commandments

2:3 We are sure that we know Christ if we obey his commandments. The person who says, “I know him,” but doesn’t obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn’t in that person. But whoever obeys what Christ says is the kind of person in whom God’s love is perfected. That’s how we know we are in Christ. Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived.

Dear friends, it’s not as though I’m writing to give you a new commandment. Rather, I’m giving you an old commandment that you’ve had from the beginning. It’s the old commandment you’ve already heard. On the other hand, I’m writing to give you a new commandment. It’s a truth that exists in Christ and in you: The darkness is fading, and the true light is already shining.

Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark. Those who love other believers live in the light. Nothing will destroy the faith of those who live in the light. Those who hate other believers are in the dark and live in the dark. They don’t know where they’re going, because they can’t see in the dark.

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Lead Me Lord – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir / Descyple91

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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.

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 | 2nd Sunday 07 Apr 2024: Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31 ~ “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.”

Easter Season | 2nd Sunday 07 Apr 2024

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

Opening prayer:

Jesus said to Thomas,
“You believe because you’ve seen me.
Blessed are those who haven’t seen me
but believe.”
(John 20:29)

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Jesus Is Risen (feat. Ileia Sharaé) Lyric Video | Church of the City

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Reading from Acts of the Apostles: Acts 4:32-35 (GW)

The Believers Share Their Property

4:32 The whole group of believers lived in harmony. No one called any of his possessions his own. Instead, they shared everything.

With great power the apostles continued to testify that the Lord Jesus had come back to life. ⌞God’s⌟ abundant good will was with all of them. None of them needed anything. From time to time, people sold land or houses and brought the money to the apostles. Then the money was distributed to anyone who needed it.

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From the Psalms: Psalm 133 – “See How Good It Is” / Wendell Kimbrough feat. Sandra McCracken

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Reading from the Letters: 1 John 1:1-2:2 (GW)

John’s Reason for Writing

1:1 The Word of life existed from the beginning. We have heard it. We have seen it. We observed and touched it. This life was revealed to us. We have seen it, and we testify about it. We are reporting to you about this eternal life that was in the presence of the Father and was revealed to us. This is the life we have seen and heard. We are reporting about it to you also so that you, too, can have a relationship with us. Our relationship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that we can be completely filled with joy.

Through Jesus We Have a Relationship with God

1:5 This is the message we heard from Christ and are reporting to you: God is light, and there isn’t any darkness in him. If we say, “We have a relationship with God” and yet live in the dark, we’re lying. We aren’t being truthful.

But if we live in the light in the same way that God is in the light, we have a relationship with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from every sin. If we say, “We aren’t sinful” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong. If we say, “We have never sinned,” we turn God into a liar and his Word is not in us.

My dear children, I’m writing this to you so that you will not sin. Yet, if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ, who has God’s full approval. He speaks on our behalf when we come into the presence of the Father. He is the payment for our sins, and not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.

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It Was Finished Upon That Cross (Official Lyric Video) – CityAlight

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Reading from the Gospels: John 20:19-31 (GW)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

20:19 That Sunday evening, the disciples were together behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you!” When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad to see the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” After he had said this, he breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whenever you forgive sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you don’t forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

20:24 Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, who was called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord.”

Thomas told them, “I refuse to believe this unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my fingers into them, and put my hand into his side.”

A week later Jesus’ disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Take your hand, and put it into my side. Stop doubting, and believe.”

Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to Thomas, “You believe because you’ve seen me. Blessed are those who haven’t seen me but believe.”

Jesus performed many other miracles that his disciples saw. Those miracles are not written in this book. But these miracles have been written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and so that you will have life by believing in him.

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Profession of Faith: The Nicene Creed – Glenn Packiam / Integrity Music

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly pray for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to them, your saving health to all nations. More especially we pray for your holy catholic Church, that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate, [especially throughout the Holy Land]; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we pray for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

+ 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 Week | Saturday 06 Apr 2024: Psalm 133; Daniel 2:24-49; John 12:44-50 ~ Live in the light of eternal life.

Easter Week | Saturday 06 Apr 2024

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

Opening:

Heavenly Father, you have delivered us from the dominion of
sin and death, and brought us into the kingdom of your beloved
Son: Grant that, as by his death he has called us to life, so by his
love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

“I am the light that has come into the world
so that everyone who believes in me
will not live in the dark.”
(John 12:46)

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From Psalms: Psalm 133 – TEHILIM 133 (Enei Ma Tov) – lyrics Hebrew Pronunciation Tor Marquis | Levi Life Music

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OT Reading: Daniel 2:24-49 (GW)

2:24 Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy Babylon’s wise advisers. Daniel told him, “Don’t destroy Babylon’s wise advisers. Take me to the king, and I’ll explain the dream’s meaning to him.”

Arioch immediately took Daniel to the king. He told the king, “I’ve found one of the captives from Judah who can explain the dream’s meaning to you, Your Majesty.”

The king asked Daniel (who had been renamed Belteshazzar), “Can you tell me the dream I had and its meaning?”

Daniel answered the king, “No wise adviser, psychic, magician, or fortuneteller can tell the king this secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. He will tell King Nebuchadnezzar what is going to happen in the days to come. This is your dream, the vision you had while you were asleep: Your Majesty, while you were lying in bed, thoughts about what would happen in the future came to you. The one who reveals secrets told you what is going to happen. This secret wasn’t revealed to me because I’m wiser than anyone else. It was revealed so that you could be told the meaning and so that you would know your innermost thoughts.

“Your Majesty, you had a vision. You saw a large statue. This statue was very bright. It stood in front of you, and it looked terrifying. The head of this statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were made of silver. Its stomach and hips were made of bronze. Its legs were made of iron. Its feet were made partly of iron and partly of clay. While you were watching, a stone was cut out, but not by humans. It struck the statue’s iron-and-clay feet and smashed them. Then all at once, the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were smashed. They became like husks on a threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a large mountain which filled the whole world. This is the dream. Now we’ll tell you its meaning.

“Your Majesty, you are the greatest king. The God of heaven has given you a kingdom. He has given you power, strength, and honor. He has given you control over people, wild animals, and birds, wherever they live. He has made you ruler of them all. You are the head of gold. Another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to power after you. Then there will be a third kingdom, a kingdom of bronze, that will rule the whole world. There will also be a fourth kingdom. It will be as strong as iron. (Iron smashes and shatters everything.) As iron crushes things, this fourth kingdom will smash and crush all the other kingdoms. You also saw the feet and toes. They were partly potters’ clay and partly iron. This means that there will be a divided kingdom which has some of the firmness of iron. As you saw, iron was mixed with clay. The toes were partly iron and partly clay. Part of the kingdom will be strong, and part will be brittle. As you saw, iron was mixed with clay. So the two parts of the kingdom will mix by intermarrying, but they will not hold together any more than iron can mix with clay.

“At the time of those kings, the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed. No other people will be permitted to rule it. It will smash all the other kingdoms and put an end to them. But it will be established forever. This is the stone that you saw cut out from a mountain, but not by humans. It smashed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God has told you what will happen in the future, Your Majesty. The dream is true, and you can trust that this is its meaning.”

King Nebuchadnezzar immediately bowed down on the ground in front of Daniel. He ordered that gifts and offerings be given to Daniel. The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings. He can reveal secrets because you were able to reveal this secret.”

Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many wonderful gifts. Nebuchadnezzar made Daniel governor of the whole province of Babylon and head of all Babylon’s wise advisers. With the king’s permission, Daniel appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to govern the province of Babylon. But Daniel stayed at the king’s court.

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Pilgrims – Worship Song | Worship Songs with IMAGES

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NT Reading: John 12:44-50 (GW)

12:44 Then Jesus said loudly, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me. Whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I am the light that has come into the world so that everyone who believes in me will not live in the dark. If anyone hears my words and doesn’t follow them, I don’t condemn them. I didn’t come to condemn the world but to save the world. Those who reject me by not accepting what I say have a judge appointed for them. The words that I have spoken will judge them on the last day. I have not spoken on my own. Instead, the Father who sent me told me what I should say and how I should say it. I know that what he commands is eternal life. Whatever I say is what the Father told me to say.”