Author: Art Chartier

Epiphany Season | Thursday 13 January 2022: Psalm 36; Jeremiah 3:1-5; Acts 8:18-24 ~ Repent of your wickedness and pray.

Epiphany Season | Thursday 13 January 2022

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

Opening:

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light
of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word
and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory,
that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of
the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the
Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord.
Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts,
for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy
and are held captive by sin.”
(Acts 8:22-23)

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Psalms: Psalm 36 (NLT) – Exodus Road Band

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OT Reading: Jeremiah 3:1-5 (NLT)

3:1 “If a man divorces a woman
and she goes and marries someone else,
he will not take her back again,
for that would surely corrupt the land.
But you have prostituted yourself with many lovers,
so why are you trying to come back to me?”
says the Lord.
“Look at the shrines on every hilltop.
Is there any place you have not been defiled
by your adultery with other gods?
You sit like a prostitute beside the road waiting for a customer.
You sit alone like a nomad in the desert.
You have polluted the land with your prostitution
and your wickedness.
That’s why even the spring rains have failed.
For you are a brazen prostitute and completely shameless.
Yet you say to me,
‘Father, you have been my guide since my youth.
Surely you won’t be angry forever!
Surely you can forget about it!’
So you talk,
but you keep on doing all the evil you can.”

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Come Back To Me (Hosea) | Catholic Song | Sunday 7pm Choir

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NT Reading: Acts 8:18-24 (NLT)

8:18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

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Song of Repentance | New Wine Worship
We Are Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BOCP2019

For Purity

+ 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.

For Mercy

+ 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.

For Holy Thought

+ O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

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Closing: Faith and Worship

Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path below me,
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today – tonight – and for ever

— Columba (?521-597) Irish monk and missionary in Scotland

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

Epiphany Season | Wednesday 12 January 2022: Psalm 106:1-12; Numbers 27:1-11; Luke 11:33-36 ~ Be filled with God’s radiant Light.

Epiphany Season | Wednesday 12 January 2022

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

Opening:

Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be
your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove:
Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may
be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.
If you are filled with light, with no dark corners,
then your whole life will be radiant,
as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”
(Luke 11:35-36)

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Psalms: Psalm 10 – Poor Bishop Hooper

praise the lord give thanks
for he is good his steadfast love endures

we with our fathers have sinned in wickedness
forgot your wondrous works when they were in egypt
nevertheless he saved them and for his name’s sake own
that he might make his power known

he led them through the sea at his command the waters dried
then they covered every enemy not one was left alive
though they sang his praise believed his words
they soon forgot his works

praise the lord give thanks
for he is good his steadfast love endures

wanton craving in the wilderness jealousy and envious
the earth it opened swallowing then plague and fire and flame
they made a calf in horeb they traded glorious god
for a man-made metal image for a grass-eating ox

they forgot God their savior then he said he would destroy them
had not moses his chosen stood in breach before him
to turn away his wrath they despised the pleasant land
having no faith in his promise they murmured in their tents

they angered him at meribah they sacrificed their sons
the land it was polluted with the blood of innocents
so god’s anger burned against them an abhorred inheritance

nevertheless he pitied them and listened
remembering his covenant he relented
according to the greatness of his love

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OT Reading: Numbers 27:1-11 (NLT)

The Daughters of Zelophehad

27:1 One day a petition was presented by the daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their father, Zelophehad, was a descendant of Hepher son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph. These women stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Our father died in the wilderness,” they said. “He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons. Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.”

 So Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord replied to Moses, “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father. “And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters. And if he has no daughter either, transfer his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. But if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan. This is a legal requirement for the people of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.”

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Righteous Judge – Laodicean Church Of God

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NT Reading: Luke 11:33-36 (NLT)

Receiving the Light

11:33 “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.

 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”

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Let Your Light Shine In The Darkness Live – New Scottish Hymns Band

Father God You look on me
Yet see no sin or shame
You see Your Son who died for all
To take away my blame
He left his Father’s glorious throne
All radiance set aside
And hung alone eclipsed by sin
‘Til sin was crucified

Let Your light shine in the darkness
Let Your light shine in the darkness

Empty now the threat of death
As Empty lay the grave
And all whose faith is in his life
Will know His power to save
Christ returned to heaven above
In glorious light and power
And by His Spirit I have hope
To light my darkest hour

Let Your light shine in the darkness
Let Your light shine in the darkness

As the moon reflects the sun
Now radiant we stand
Freed from sin and Satan’s grip
God’s kingdom is at hand
Darkness, sin and death retreat
And flee the marching dawn
His love casts out our fear and doubt
So let His church shine on

Let Your light shine in the darkness
Let Your light shine in the darkness
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Declaration of Faith: Faith and Worship

+ You are our strength, the light by which we walk, the truth by which we talk.
+ You are our hope, the promise to which we hold, the story that must be told.
+ You are the peace this world cannot provide, that overcomes our pride.
+ You are our God, the One whose name we praise to whom our hands are raised. Amen
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Closing: Faith and Worship

Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path below me,
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today – tonight – and for ever

— Columba (?521-597) Irish monk and missionary in Scotland

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

Epiphany Season | Tuesday 11 January 2022: Psalm 106:1-12; Judges 5:12-21; 1 John 5:13-21 ~ Keep away from anything evil!

Epiphany Season | Tuesday 11 January 2022

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

Opening:

Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be
your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove:
Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may
be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.

Dear children, keep away from anything
that might take God’s place in your hearts.
(1 John 5:21)

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Psalms: Psalm 106  (A powerful message from Psalms 106)
Amorousness

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OT Reading: Judges 5:12-21 (NLT)

5:12 “Wake up, Deborah, wake up!
Wake up, wake up, and sing a song!
Arise, Barak!
Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!

 “Down from Tabor marched the few against the nobles.
The people of the Lord marched down against mighty warriors.
They came down from Ephraim—
a land that once belonged to the Amalekites;
they followed you, Benjamin, with your troops.
From Makir the commanders marched down;
from Zebulun came those who carry a commander’s staff.
The princes of Issachar were with Deborah and Barak.
They followed Barak, rushing into the valley.
But in the tribe of Reuben
there was great indecision.
Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds—
to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks?
Yes, in the tribe of Reuben
there was great indecision.
Gilead remained east of the Jordan.
And why did Dan stay home?
Asher sat unmoved at the seashore,
remaining in his harbors.
But Zebulun risked his life,
as did Naphtali, on the heights of the battlefield.

 “The kings of Canaan came and fought,
at Taanach near Megiddo’s springs,
but they carried off no silver treasures.
The stars fought from heaven.
The stars in their orbits fought against Sisera.
The Kishon River swept them away—
that ancient torrent, the Kishon.
March on with courage, my soul!

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Wake Up Deborah – Nissi Band
Justin Little

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NT Reading: 1 John 5:13-21 (NLT)

5:13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

 If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.

 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

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Deliver Us from Evil – Eric Lee Brumley

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Prayer:

Faith & Worship

In the worst temptations nothing can help us but faith that God’s Son has put on flesh, is bone, sits at the right hand of the Father, and prays for us. There is no mightier comfort.
(Martin Luther)

Lord, be in the decisions I must make today,
open my ears to your guidance
and steer my footsteps from temptation.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

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Closing:

God’s love surround you, God’s Spirit guide you,
God’s whisper cheer you, God’s peace calm you,
God’s shield protect you, God’s wisdom arm you,
wherever God may lead you.

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

Epiphany Season | Monday 10 January 2022: Psalm 106:1-12; Judges 4:1-16; Ephesians 6:10-17 ~ Be strong in the Lord!

Epiphany Season | Monday 10 January 2022

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

Opening:

Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be
your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove:
Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may
be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor
so that you will be able to stand firm
against all strategies of the devil.
(Ephesians 6:10-11)

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Psalms: Psalm 106 (Banks of the Nile) – Kiran Young Wimberly & The McGraths

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OT Reading: Judges 4:1-16 (NLT)

Deborah Becomes Israel’s Judge

4:1 After Ehud’s death, the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor, a Canaanite king. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-haggoyim. Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help.

Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment. One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.”

Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”

“Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. At Kedesh, Barak called together the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, and 10,000 warriors went up with him. Deborah also went with him.

Now Heber the Kenite, a descendant of Moses’ brother-in-law Hobab, had moved away from the other members of his tribe and pitched his tent by the oak of Zaanannim near Kedesh.

When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, he called for all 900 of his iron chariots and all of his warriors, and they marched from Harosheth-haggoyim to the Kishon River.

Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle. When Barak attacked, the Lord threw Sisera and all his chariots and warriors into a panic. Sisera leaped down from his chariot and escaped on foot. Then Barak chased the chariots and the enemy army all the way to Harosheth-haggoyim, killing all of Sisera’s warriors. Not a single one was left alive.

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See A Victory – Elevation Worship

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NT Reading: Ephesians 6:10-17 (NLT)

The Whole Armor of God

6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

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Stand up Stand up For Jesus – Stuart Townend
Grace Bible Church – Adell

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Prayer:

A Prayer to Put on the Armor of God
By Debbie McDaniel

Dear God, today we put on the full armor to guard our lives against attack. We put on the belt of truth to protect against lies and deception. We put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect our hearts from the temptations we battle. We put the gospel of peace on our feet, so we’re ready to take your light wherever you send us this day. We choose to walk in the peace and freedom of your Spirit and not be overcome with fear and anxious thoughts. We take up your shield of faith that will extinguish all the darts and threats hurled our way by the enemy. We believe in your power to protect us and choose to trust in you. We put on the helmet of salvation, which covers our minds and thoughts, reminding us we are children of the day, forgiven, set free, saved by the grace of Christ Jesus. We take up the sword of the Spirit, your very Word, the one offensive weapon given to us for battle, which has the power to demolish strongholds, alive, active, and sharper than any double-edged sword.

We ask for your help in remembering to put on your full armor every day, for you give us all that we need to stand firm in this world. Forgive us God for the times we’ve been unprepared, too busy to care, or trying to fight and wrestle in our own strength.

Thank you that we never fight alone, for you are constantly at work on our behalf, shielding, protecting, strengthening, exposing deeds of darkness, bringing to light what needs to be known, covering us from the cruel attacks we face even when we’re unaware. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

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Closing:

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.

Epiphany Season | 1st Sunday 09 Jan 2022 – Isa 42:1-9; Ps 89:20-29; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-22 ~ God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power.

Epiphany Season | 1st Sunday 09 Jan 2022 | The Baptism of the Lord

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

Opening:

Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be
your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove:
Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may
be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.

One day when the crowds were being baptized,
Jesus himself was baptized.
As he was praying,
the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form,
descended on him like a dove.
And a voice from heaven said,
“You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
(Luke 3:21-22)

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“God Came Down To Us” | Jonathan and Emily Martin

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OT Reading: Isa 42:1-9 (NLT)

The Lord’s Chosen Servant

42:1 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
He will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout
or raise his voice in public.
He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
He will not falter or lose heart
until justice prevails throughout the earth.
Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

 God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is he who says,
“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.
You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to anyone else,
nor share my praise with carved idols.
Everything I prophesied has come true,
and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens.”

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Psalms: Ps 89 – Via Christus Choir

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NT Reading: Acts 10:34-38 (NLT)

The Gentiles Hear the Good News

10:34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

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I Speak Jesus | Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Shalom Music

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Gospel Reading: Luke 3:15-22 (NLT)

3:15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

 John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. 20 So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

The Baptism of Jesus

3:21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

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 Baptized – Zach Williams

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Prayer: ACNA / BCP2019

Renewal o f B a p t i s m a l V o w s (adapted)

In the presence of God and His people, I renew the solemn promises and vows I made at my Baptism and commit to keep them.

+ I renounce the devil and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God!

+ I renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God!

+ I renounce the sinful desires of the flesh that draw me from the love of God!

+ I turn again to Jesus Christ and confess him as my Lord and Savior!

+ I joyfully receive the Christian Faith, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments!

With God’s help I will obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments and walk in them all the days of my life!

And now may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in us, direct and empower us by his grace, that we may continue in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ all the days of our life.

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