Monday Morning Prayer: 20 Jul 2020 – Psalm 129, Esther 3:13, 4:7, 8:6, Matthew 25:35-37 ~ Kingdom vision

Monday Morning Prayer, 20 Jul 2020

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

Opening:*

Most powerful Holy Spirit, come down upon us and subdue us.
From heaven, where the ordinary is made glorious, and glory seems but ordinary,
Bathe us with the brilliance of Your light like dew.

Believer, hold Him high that all may see the light of Jesus in a son of man. “Aidan”

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 129

A Prayer for Protection

Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked!

Let everyone in Israel say:
“Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked!
But they have not defeated me, though my back is like a field that has just been plowed.”

The Lord always does right, and he has set me free from the ropes of those cruel people.
I pray that all who hate the city of Zion will be made ashamed and forced to turn and run.
May they be like grass on the flat roof of a house, grass that dries up as soon as it sprouts.
Don’t let them be like wheat gathered in bundles. And don’t let anyone who passes by say to them, “The Lord bless you! I give you my blessing in the name of the Lord.”

Esther 3:13, 4:7, 8:6

The letters were taken by messengers to every part of the kingdom, and this is what was said in the letters: On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, all Jewish men, women, and children are to be killed. And their property is to be taken.
_____

Mordecai told him everything that had happened. He also told him how much money Haman had promised to add to the king’s treasury, if all the Jews were killed.
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I can’t bear to see my people and my own relatives destroyed.”

Matthew 25:35-37

When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”

Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink?

Prayer: You offer us the Kingdom* by by Christine Jerrett

We name you gracious Master and our God,
Great Redeemer and King.
You offer us the kingdom, Lord Jesus;
a realm where the hungry are fed,
the thirsty are given something to drink;
and the homeless are housed,

You offer us a realm where
those who are shivering are clothed,
the sick are visited,
those in prison hear good news.

We wonder how we are to receive such a gift:
Will you require of us more than what we are already doing?
Will you judge us for
what we have done and what we have left undone?
Will you leave us out of your community of salvation?

In your great love and mercy,
move us beyond fear;
move us beyond guilt;
move us beyond our anxious worry.
Move us deeper into your surprising grace;
Heal the blindness that does not see you
when you come to us in distressing disguise.

Set us free from serving lesser gods.

Most of all, form in us the mind of Christ,
so that we see the world through your eyes,
so that our hearts are broken by the things
that break your heart, and
so that we delight in the things that delight you,
and you create in us courage enough not to duck.

We ask in your life-giving name.

__________

Waltraud Rennebaum – Shir ha Ma’alot: Adonai tzadik – Psalm 129 (Song of Ascents)

Closing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 38-45). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19 Jul 2020 – Jeremiah 20:7-13, Matthew 10:16-33, Romans 5:15-19, ~ Don’t be afraid of anyone!

The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Everyone will hate you because of me.
But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved.”

__________

Shout For Joy (Psalm 100) – North Central University Worship Live

__________

Collect 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.
__________

A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 20:7-13 (CEV)

Jeremiah Complains to the Lord

You tricked me, Lord, and I was really fooled. You are stronger than I am, and you have defeated me. People never stop sneering
and insulting me. You have let me announce only destruction and death. Your message has brought me nothing but insults and trouble. Sometimes I tell myself not to think about you, Lord, or even mention your name. But your message burns in my heart and bones, and I cannot keep silent.

I heard the crowds whisper, “Everyone is afraid. Now’s our chance to accuse Jeremiah!” All of my so-called friends are just waiting for me to make a mistake. They say, “Maybe Jeremiah can be tricked. Then we can overpower him and get even at last.”

But you, Lord, are a mighty soldier, standing at my side. Those troublemakers will fall down and fail—terribly embarrassed, forever ashamed.

Lord All-Powerful, you test those who do right, and you know every heart and mind. I have told you my complaints, so let me watch you take revenge on my enemies. I sing praises to you, Lord. You rescue the oppressed from the wicked.
__________

Afraid – Tenth Avenue North

__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 9:35-10:15 (CEV)

Warning about Trouble

I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves. Watch out for people who will take you to court and have you beaten in their meeting places. Because of me, you will be dragged before rulers and kings to tell them and the Gentiles about your faith. But when someone arrests you, don’t worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the words to say. But you will not really be the one speaking. The Spirit from your Father will tell you what to say.

Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. Everyone will hate you because of me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved. When people mistreat you in one town, hurry to another one. I promise you that before you have gone to all the towns of Israel, the Son of Man will come.

Disciples are not better than their teacher, and slaves are not better than their master. It is enough for disciples to be like their teacher and for slaves to be like their master. If people call the head of the family Satan, what will they say about the rest of the family?

The One To Fear

Don’t be afraid of anyone! Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you. Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Telling Others about Christ

If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don’t belong to me.
__________

God of Mercy and Compassion – by Giovanni Pergolosi (France) and I. D. Riverson (Ghana).

__________

Pastoral Prayer:

Almighty and everliving God: hear our prayers –

+ Grant that all who confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

+ Grant that we may hear and receive your holy Word, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.

+ Grant that our government may impartially administer justice, uphold integrity and truth, restrain wickedness and vice, and protect true religion and virtue.

+ Empower us to fulfill your great commission, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that you have commanded.

+ Comfort and sustain all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, especially those suffering the effects of the pandemic.

Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
__________

Giants Fall – Francesca Battistelli

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Closing – Romans 5:16,17 (CEV)

But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life. Adam disobeyed God and caused many others to be sinners. But Jesus obeyed him and will make many people acceptable to God.
__________

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

Saturday Morning Prayer: 18 Jul 2020 – Psalm 127, Amos 9:13-15, Hebrews 12:1 ~ run the race ahead of you

Saturday Morning Prayer, 18 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 127

“Don’t waste your life” – (Psalm 127) – Three Sixteen Music

Amos 9:13-15

You will have such a harvest
that you won’t be able
to bring in all of your wheat
before plowing time.
You will have grapes left over
from season to season;
your fruitful vineyards
will cover the mountains.

I’ll make Israel prosper again.
You will rebuild your towns
and live in them.
You will drink wine
from your own vineyards
and eat the fruit you grow.
I’ll plant your roots deep
in the land I have given you,
and you won’t ever
be uprooted again.
I, the Lord God, have spoken!

Hebrews 12:1

Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.

Prayer:

Lord God: You have called us to be your people; strengthen us by the power of your Word and Spirit to finish the race you have chosen for us. Help us –

to be cheered on and encouraged by those saints who have gone before us….
to rid ourselves of anything that slows us down, especially our parasitic sins…
to keep our eyes on Jesus who endured shame and put up with many insults….
to persevere in faith with the expectation of winning the prize of being called to heaven…..

Lord God: as citizens of heaven, we eagerly await our Savior’s return. Meanwhile, we press on in his name. Amen.

Press On – Selah

Closing

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

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12813-12823). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Friday Morning Prayer: 17 Jul 2020 – Psalm 126, Jeremiah 31:21, Luke 23:26 ~ the cross/road home

Friday Morning Prayer, 17 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 126

It seemed like a dream
when the Lord brought us back
to the city of Zion.
We celebrated with laughter
and joyful songs.
In foreign nations it was said,
“The Lord has worked miracles
for his people.”
And so we celebrated
because the Lord had indeed
worked miracles for us.

Our Lord, we ask you to bless
our people again,
and let us be like streams
in the Southern Desert.
We cried as we went out
to plant our seeds.
Now let us celebrate
as we bring in the crops.
We cried on the way
to plant our seeds,
but we will celebrate and shout
as we bring in the crops.

Jeremiah 31:21

With rock piles and signposts,
mark the way home,
my dear people.
It is the same road
by which you left.

Luke 23:26

As Jesus was being led away, some soldiers grabbed hold of a man from Cyrene named Simon. He was coming in from the fields, but they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Reflection:

Heavenfield*

Many a commemorative cross stands by roadside or in field, but few as significantly as that which stands at Heavenfield. It reminds us of good King Oswald, returning from Iona to unite his land, and win its people to Christ. He did not shirk his responsibilities, but fulfilled them with honesty and faith, as a Christian first, and only secondly as a king. We can only imagine with what mixture of emotions he knelt before the cross that day.

God has a place for you to fill,
but it will take all of you to fill it.
(Hugh Redwood)

He walks with God who,
as he onward moves, follows
the footsteps of the Lord he loves,
and keeping Him for ever in his view,
his Savior sees and His example, too.
(Dorothy Ann Thrupp)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, whose most dear Son, as He walked the way of The Cross, accepted the service of Simon of Cyrene to carry his physical burden for him: grant us each the grace gladly to bear one another’s burdens, for the love of him who said, “As you did it to the least of these my brethren, you did it to me,” your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us – Kaoma Chende (witten by Dorothy Ann Thrupp)

Savior, like a shepherd lead us
Much we need Thy tender care
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us
For our use Thy folds prepare
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are

We are Thine, who Thou befriend us
Be the guardian of our way
Keep Thy flock from sin defend us
Seek us when we go astray
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus
Hear O hear us when we pray
Blessed Jesus, oh blessed Jesus
Hear O hear us when we pray

Closing

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

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12813-12823). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Thursday Morning Prayer: 16 Jul 2020 – Psalm 125:3-5, Numbers 17:1-11, John 21:15-17 ~ take care of my sheep

Thursday Morning Prayer, 16 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 125:3-5

He won’t let the wicked
rule his people
or lead them to do wrong.
Let’s ask the Lord to be kind
to everyone
who is good
and completely obeys him.

When the Lord punishes
the wicked,
he will punish everyone else
who lives a crooked life.

Pray for peace in Israel!

Numbers 17:1-11

The Lord told Moses:

Call together the twelve tribes of Israel and tell the leader of each tribe to write his name on the walking stick he carries as a symbol of his authority. Make sure Aaron’s name is written on the one from the Levi tribe, then collect all the sticks.

Place these sticks in the tent right in front of the sacred chest where I appear to you. I will then choose a man to be my priest, and his stick will sprout. After that happens, I won’t have to listen to any more complaints about you.

Moses told the people what the Lord had commanded, and they gave him the walking sticks from the twelve tribal leaders, including Aaron’s from the Levi tribe. Moses took them and placed them in the Lord’s sacred tent.

The next day when Moses went into the tent, flowers and almonds were already growing on Aaron’s stick. Moses brought the twelve sticks out of the tent and showed them to the people. Each of the leaders found his own and took it.

But the Lord told Moses, “Put Aaron’s stick back! Let it stay near the sacred chest as a warning to anyone who might think about rebelling. If these people don’t stop their grumbling about me, I will wipe them out.” Moses did what he was told.

John 21:15-17

When Jesus and his disciples had finished eating, he asked, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than the others do?”

Simon Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I do!”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus said.

Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you!”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus told him.

Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.”

Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.

Reflection:

America: San Gabriel Mission

America has been a land of promise and opportunity for people all over the world. Millions of people from every tribe and nation have come here – some by religious persecution or missionary zeal, others for social-political reasons and economic opportunity.

Founded on Judaeo-Christian principles, it is today a nation in in deep spiritual crisis – it’s very foundation of freedom of speech and religion are under assault by godless mobs. Most recently the 250 year old San Gabriel Mission founded by Padre Serra was set on fire.

The mobs have moved from the destruction of statues and businesses, to the destruction of churches and religious symbols.
_____

Pray for America to become one nation under God.
And pray for God to raise up Christian leaders,
who will strengthen and encourage believers to stand firm in their beliefs,
and grow in their love of God and their neighbor.

Prayer:

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in thy Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Do It Again -Elevation Worship

Closing

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

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12678-12690). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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