After Epiphany | Wednesday 04 Feb 2026
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
O God, you know
that we are set in the midst of many grave dangers,
and because of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright:
Grant that your strength and protection
may support us in all dangers
and carry us through every temptation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Just as I have loved you,
you should love each other.”
(Luke 6:17-26)
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From the Psalms: Psalm 37 | Poor Bishop Hooper
if i delight in you it is your promise
my every hearts desire will be accomplished
if i commit all i have to you
your justice will shine your justice will shine
if i stay still within your holy presence
no matter what the world has i wait patient
if i commit all i have to you
i know you’ll delight i know you’ll delight
my inheritance will be perfect and unending
my inheritance will be beneath your watchful eye
there’s nothing that can take it no hour can decay it
forever forever forever and a day
if my steps are taken and established
and you are pleased with everywhere i put them
though i fall i wont be overwhelmed
for you hold my hand you hold my hand
my inheritance will be perfect and unending
my inheritance will be beneath your watchful eye
there’s nothing that can take it no hour can decay it
forever forever forever and a day
once i was young and now i am an old man
ne’er have i seen a righteous one forsaken
for my children never begged for bread
but gave and gave again, gave and gave again, gave and gave again
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OT Reading: Ruth 3:1-13; 4:13-22 (NLT)
Ruth at the Threshing Floor
3:1 One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.”
+ “I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law.
+ After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he lay down at the far end of the pile of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. + Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! + “Who are you?” he asked.
“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”
+ “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. + Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.”
The Descendants of Boaz
4:13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”
+ Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.
+ This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron.
+ Hezron was the father of Ram.
Ram was the father of Amminadab.
+ Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
+ Salmon was the father of Boaz.
Boaz was the father of Obed.
+ Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David.
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There is a Redeemer | Keswick Praise / Chet Valley Churches
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NT Reading: Luke 6:17-26 (NLT)
Crowds Follow Jesus
6:17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed. Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.
The Beatitudes
6: 20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,
“God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
+ God blesses you who are hungry now,
for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh.
+ What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.
Sorrows Foretold
6:24 “What sorrow awaits you who are rich,
for you have your only happiness now.
+ What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now,
for a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now,
for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.
+ What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds,
for their ancestors also praised false prophets.
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Beatitudes | John Alexander Wilson
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O 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.
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.
Almighty God our Savior: 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 Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 