Category: Life around the World

13th Sunday after Pentecost, 08 Sep 2019 -Luke 14:25-33 ~ Give up everything…

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:  God of the ages, you call your people to keep watch in the world and to discern the signs of the times. Grant us the wisdom which your Spirit bestows, that with courage we may proclaim your prophetic word and complete the work you have set before us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Way (Psalm 1) -The Shiyr Poets

Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-33  (NLT)

The Cost of Being a Disciple

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

“Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
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“All To Jesus I Surrender” – Robin Mark

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Intercession:

Almighty God, by your Word you laid the foundations of the earth, set the bounds of the sea, and still the wind and waves. Surround us with your grace and peace, and restore us from the effects of the hurricane. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, strengthen those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill us with the hope of your new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ God of power, wisdom and grace – hear our prayers on behalf of those who need your help and mercy –
+ That those in the Bahamas who are suffering the devastating effects of the hurricane , may receive the help and resources they need, especially though Christian relief ministries….
+ That your people who were spared the hurricane’s devastation may give generously to the relief effort of those who were less fortunate….
+ That your people may freely relinquish those temporal things we hold on to for our security, and follow Jesus wherever He leads us….
+ That your people might embrace the particular cross you have given each one of us, and follow Jesus courageously where He leads us….
+ That those who have recently lost loved ones may be comforted by the certain hope of their resurrection to eternal life through faith in your Son, Jesus…

God of the ages, you teach your people wisdom of heart, help us to trust in your care, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Lift High The Cross – Choir and brass, Southwestern Baptist Seminary,

Closing Prayer: O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

12th Sunday after Pentecost, 01 Sep 2019 -Lk 14:1, 7-14, ~ invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer: 

God and judge of all, you show us that the way to your kingdom is through humility and service. Keep us true to the path of justice and give us the reward promised to those who make a place for the rejected and the poor. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above – Northland Baptist Bible College

Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1  (NLT)
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely.
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Gospel Reading: Luke 14:7-14 (NLT)
Jesus Teaches about Humility

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

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Let all who are thirsty come – Taizé

Let all who are thirsty come
Let all who wish to receive

The water of life freely
Amen come Lord Jesus
Amen come Lord Jesus
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Intercession:

Gracious God: You provide for the the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; and You hear their cries, –  In Your mercy, hear our prayers –

+ That we too may may care for Your Creation and provide especially for those You love who cannot provide for themselves….
+ That we may be bearers of peace, hope, help, and reconciliation, especially in regions of conflict and deprivation….
+ That That we may welcome those who are diplaced and needy especially due to war and violence. providing shelter and sustenance until they can return home…..
+ That we may be bearers of Your loving-kindness and care to those who are sick and disabled the crippled, may Your heart for them be our heart as well….
+ That we may be bearers of Your care and loving-kindness to those we come in contact with every day, and they may see You in us….

Father of the orphan, defender of the poor, You give new life to Your people: hear our prayers, we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Humble Yourself” – The Acappella Company

Closing: Matthew 11:29 (NLT)
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

11th Sunday after Pentecost, 25 Aug 2019 – Luke 13:22-30 ~ “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer: 

To the banquet of your kingdom, O God of the nations, you have invited people of every race and tongue. May all who are called to a place at your table come by the narrow way to the unending feast of life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“How Firm a Foundation” – Fernando Ortega

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 13:22-30 (NLT)

The Narrow Door

Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God. And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.”
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Come to the Table – Keith Lancaster and Acappella

“Come to the table of mercy | Prepared with the wine and the bread
All who are hungry and thirsty | Come and your soul will be fed.

Come at the Lord’s invitation | Receive from His nail-scarred hand
Eat of the bread of salvation | Drink of the blood of the Lamb.
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Intercession:

Sovereign Lord: Your Kingdom is forever and the road that leads to it is narrow and difficult. Hear our pilgrim prayers as we journey along the way You have set before us –

+ That missionaries who are struggling may persevere in faith and not give up….
+ That those who preach the gospel may do so with clarity and courage….
+ That those who hear the gospel may welcome it with faith and obedience….
+ That believers around the world may live by faith and love of neighbor….
+ That believers who are sick may receive Your grace of healing and comfort….
+ That believers who are tired and worn down may receive Your rest and refreshment….
+ That believing teachers, students and staff may display unshakable faith in Jesus….
+ That people of goodwill around the world may prevail in their cultures and live together cooperatively….

Sovereign Lord: May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in us. Hear our prayers and strengthen us for the journey ahead, we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Unshakable Kingdom” – Sandi Patty

They came to follow Him | Drawn by what He promised them
If they would sell all that they had
He said that God would send | A kingdom that would never end
Where all the poor would be so rich

And in their discontent | They heard what they thought He meant
They heard that the weak would be strong
Bread would be multiplied | And hunger be satisfied
And every servant a king

In this kingdom of God | The kingdom that would never end
The living unshakable kingdom of God

But He went His quiet way | Giving Himself away
Building what eyes can never see
While men looked for crowns and thrones | He walked with crowds, alone
Planting a seed in you and me

Crying for those who cried | Dying for those who died
Bursting forth, glorified, alive
And some of them looked for Him | Sad that it had to end
But some dared to look within and see

The kingdom of God | A kingdom that would never end
The living, unshakable kingdom of God

Still some of us look for Him | Sad that it has to end
Do we dare to look within and see
The kingdom of God | A kingdom that would never end
The living, unshakable kingdom of God, of God!
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Closing: Hebrews 12:28

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable,
let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

10th Sunday after Pentecost, 18 Aug 2019 – Luke 12:49-56 ~ “I have come to set the world on fire….”

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer: 

To set the earth ablaze, O God, your Son submitted to a baptism unto death, and from his cup of suffering you call the Church to drink. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and give us strength in time of trial to run the race that lies before us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Is He Worthy?” – Chris Tomlin

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 12:49-56 (NLT)

Jesus Causes Division

“I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.

‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
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“Psalm 82 – They Belong to You” – Jason Silver

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Intercession:

Lord God of heaven and earth: we belong to you. Hear our prayers, and mercifully respond to us from your throne of grace –

+ That missionaries may receive your wisdom, strength, and help….
+ That persecuted believers may endure suffering and persevere in faith….
+ That people of goodwill may fight injustice and prejudice in pursuit of your truth….
+ That those tempted to turn from their faith may be encouraged to stay the course….
+ That those who are sick and depressed may receive your light in their times of darkness….
+ That those beginning a new school year may seek your glory, full of grace and truth….

Lord God of heaven and earth: watch over and protect your people, and hear our cry for your help, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Run the Race – The Faith in Christ that Perseveres” – Moving Works

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Closing: Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-14

“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

9th Sunday after Pentecost, 11 Aug 2019 – Luke 12:32-40 ~ Ready and waiting!

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer: 

O God, on whom our faith rests secure and whose kingdom we await, sustain us by word and sacrament and keep us alert for the coming of the Son of Man, that we may welcome him without delay. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“The Lion and The Lamb” – Big Daddy Weave

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 12:32-40 (NLT)

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

“Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
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“I Will Wait For You” (Psalm 130) – Shane & Shane

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Intercession:

Lord God: From your throne in heaven, you see all who live on the earth; you made our hearts and understand everything we do. In your loving-kindness, hear us now as we pray –

+ That all who proclaim your Word may do so with a sense of urgency….
+ That all who hear your Word may respond in faith, remembering that our lives are short….
+ That all who are on vacation may return home refreshed, proclaiming the wonders you have shown them….
+ That families may be bound together in love, mutual encouragement, and prayer….
+ That the sick and broken-hearted may receive your comfort and healing mercies….
+ That all who live hard lives may receive your grace and provision for their needs….

Lord God: your loving-kindness sustains us. Hear these prayers we offer, trusting that you will answer them according to your perfect will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Jesus Is Coming Soon” – Dailey & Vincent

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Closing: Psalm 33:20-22

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

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