Christmas | Tuesday 30 Dec 2025: Psalm 20; Isaiah 26:1-9; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ~ Never give up: focus on eternal things.

Christmas | Tuesday 30 Dec 2025

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

Opening prayer:

Almighty God,
you have poured upon us the new light
of your incarnate Word:
Grant that this light, kindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

“We don’t look at the troubles we can see now;
rather, we fix our gaze
on things that cannot be seen.”
(2 Corinthians 4:18)

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From the Psalms: Psalm 20 | Poor Bishop Hooper

may god answer your distresses
may the name of jacob’s god
send you help and give protection
and remember your offerings

the desires of your heart i
hope he makes them all come true
we will shout for victory
and raise our banners for the king

i know that the lord will answer
and deliver his chosen one
some place trust in mighty horses
but the name of our holy god

is our saving power
is our trust
but the name of god

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OT Reading: Isaiah 26:1-9 (NLT)

A Song of Praise to the Lord

26:1 In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song:

Our city is strong!
We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation.
+ Open the gates to all who are righteous;
allow the faithful to enter.
+ You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
+ Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
+ He humbles the proud
and brings down the arrogant city.
He brings it down to the dust.
+ The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot,
and the needy walk all over it.

26:7 But for those who are righteous,
the way is not steep and rough.
You are a God who does what is right,
and you smooth out the path ahead of them.
+ Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;
our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.
+ In the night I search for you;
in the morning I earnestly seek you.
For only when you come to judge the earth
will people learn what is right.

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Alleluia, Sing to Jesus | Saint Michael’s Singers, Coventry Cathedral  / Chet Valley Churches

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NT Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)

4:16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

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Press On | Selah / Kirst ienzle

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP 2019

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear our prayers, and grant that in our local assemblies the pure Word of God may be preached and the Sacraments duly administered. Strengthen and confirm the faithful; protect and guide the children; visit and relieve the sick; turn and soften the wicked; arouse the careless; recover the fallen; restore the penitent; remove all hindrances to the advancement of your truth; and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 God, who has called us out of darkness
into his marvelous light,
bless us and fill us with peace.

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

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