Category: Life around the World

6th Sunday of Easter, 26 May 2019: Revelation 21:1-4, 22:1-5; John 14:21-29 ~ Peace = Love and Obedience

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer:

Great and loving Father, your will for us in Jesus is the peace the world cannot give;
your abiding gift is the Advocate he promised. Calm all troubled hearts, dispel every fear. Keep us steadfast in love and faithful to your word, that we may always be your dwelling place. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” – Greene Mountain Men’s Choir

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A Reading from the New Testament: Revelation 21:1-4, 22:1-5 (NLT)

The New Jerusalem

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
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Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:21-29 (NLT)

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
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Intercession:

Sovereign God, ruler of all nations: Hear our prayers –

+ For nations thirsting for peace, that they may receive the Spirit’s gift of cooperation….
+ For every culture on earth, that women may be honored and respected….
+ For persecuted believers, that they may keep their heavenly reward before their eyes….
+ For our own country, that peace, reconciliation and cooperation may grow….
+ For young people recently confirmed in faith, that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit….
+ For high school and college graduates, that the Holy Spirit may guide their future….
+ For all who have died in Christ, especially those in service to our country, that they may experience your promised peace forever….

God of power and might, you graciously bless your people: give us confidence that our prayers are heard and answered according to your perfect will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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“Trust & Obey” – Chelsea Moon w/ the Franz Brothers

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Closing: – Psalm 67:2-4

May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

5th Sunday of Easter, 19 May 2019: Acts 11:1-18, John 13:31-35 ~ the proof of discipleship

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer:

We behold your glory, O God, in the love shown by your Son, lifted up on the cross and exalted on high. Increase our love for one another, that both in name and in truth we may be disciples of the risen Lord Jesus and so reflect by our lives the glory that is yours. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
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“The Love of God” – Mercy Me

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A Reading from Acts of the Apostles: Acts 11:1-18 (NLT)

Peter Explains His Actions

Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him. “You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!” they said.

Then Peter told them exactly what had happened. “I was in the town of Joppa,” he said, “and while I was praying, I went into a trance and saw a vision. Something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners from the sky. And it came right down to me. When I looked inside the sheet, I saw all sorts of tame and wild animals, reptiles, and birds. And I heard a voice say, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.’

“‘No, Lord,’ I replied. ‘I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure or unclean.’

“But the voice from heaven spoke again: ‘Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.’ This happened three times before the sheet and all it contained was pulled back up to heaven.

“Just then three men who had been sent from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying. The Holy Spirit told me to go with them and not to worry that they were Gentiles. These six brothers here accompanied me, and we soon entered the home of the man who had sent for us. He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, ‘Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!’

“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?”

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 13:31-35 (NLT)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
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Intercession:

Great and loving God: You show compassion to all of your creation. Hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders, that they may model Jesus’ love for us, and for all of your creation….
+ For believers around the world, that we may demonstrate faith, hope and love among ourselves and to our neighbors….
+ For world leaders, that they may work diligently for peace between nations and cooperation for mutual benefit….
+ For broken, war-torn countries, that people may be reconciled and communities restored….
+ For political leaders, that they may work for the common good, even for those with whom they disagree….
+ For displaced persons, that they find safe havens and temporary relief until they can return home….
+ For the sick in body, mind, and spirit, that they may receive comfort and healing through the ministry of believers….

Great and loving God: You are kind and compassionate to all your creation, hear our prayers and help us according to your perfect will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“The Greatest Commands” – Harding University Concert Choir

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Closing: – Psalm 145:4-7 (excerpts)

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. Let them meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Let your awe-inspiring deeds be on every tongue, proclaiming your greatness. Let everyone share the story of your wonderful goodness; and sing with joy about your righteousness.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

4th Sunday of Easter, 12 May 2019: Psalm 100, John 10:22-30 ~ “The Father and I are one.”

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer:

Safe in your hand, O God, is the flock you shepherd through Jesus Christ your Son. Lead us always to the living waters where you promise respite and refreshment, that we may be counted among those who know you and follow you. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 100 (Enter In)” – People & Songs

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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 100 (NLT)

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 10:22-30 (NLT)

Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God

It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
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Intercession:

Good Shepherd: You have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, to lead us, protect us, and provide for all our needs. Hear the cries of all those belonging to your flock –

+ For those you have appointed to lead us here on earth, that they may follow the example of your Son, Jesus Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For young people you have chosen as future leaders of your people, that they may follow the example of your Son, Jesus Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For believers who are facing persecution today, that may have courage and receive your protection and provision…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians, Jews and Muslims, that we may live together peacefully and cooperatively, with just treatment for all…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those suffering from depression, that they may know they are loved by you and move from Darkness into Light…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those in any kind of need (physical, emotional, spiritual), that they may have the tender support of their believing friends…. Lord, hear us.

Good Shepherd: Your loving care brings us safe through the trials of life, hear our prayers we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)” – People & Songs

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Closing Declaration: – Psalm 23:6

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

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

3rd Sunday of Easter, 05 May 2019: 2 Corinthians 1:16-22, John 21:1-14 ~ promises made and guaranteed

The Third Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer:

God of life, in your risen Son you reveal your abiding presence among us and summon us to lives of worship and service. Fill us with reverence as we come before you today. And grant us courage and enthusiasm in bearing witness before the world to your Son, Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always 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 Letters: 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 (NLT)

Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice — first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:1-14 (NLT)

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
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Intercession:

Almighty God: You claim us as your own and rescue us from all distress. Pour out your Spirit on your people, as we confidently approach your throne of grace. We pray especially –

+ That all believers may hold onto your promises….
+ That believers who are wavering may stand firm….
+ That believers who are suffering may have courage….
+ That missionaries may serve with conviction and enthusiasm….
+ That those working the sea may receive protection….
+ That those working the land may receive just reward….
+ That those who prepare and serve food may themselves be sustained….

Almighty God: Hear our prayers and the cries of our hearts, and have mercy us.  Guide us through the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may love and serve you all the days of our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Stand In Your Love” – Josh Baldwin

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Closing Declaration: Psalm 33:3-5

Sing a new song of praise to him; sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good, and the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

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

2nd Sunday of Easter, 28 April 2019: Revelation 1:9-19, John 20:19-31 ~ believing in him you will have life

The Second Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that we who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may demonstrate in our lives what we profess by our faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Revelation Song” – Kari Jobe

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A Reading from the Letters: Revelation 1:9-19 (NLT)

Vision of the Son of Man

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

“Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen….”
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 20:19-31 (NLT)

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Purpose of the Book

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
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Intercession:

God our strength and our life: You give hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless, through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. Hear us as we pray –

+ That your people may grow in unity of faith, hope, and love….
+ That leaders of your people may rely on you for wisdom and sound judgement….
+ That all believers may have life to the full, through the power of Jesus….
+ That doubters may be persuaded by the strong faith of believers….
+ That any divisions among us may be overcome….
+ That those in need may experience friendship and practical care….
+ That believers suffering persecution may be protected and delivered from evil….

God our strength, the resurrection of Jesus renews our hope: hear our prayers and help us, we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Not Afraid” – Jesus Culture

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Benediction: Revelation 1:5-6

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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