3rd Sunday of Advent, 11 Dec: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Psalm 146:6-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 ~ a day for rejoicing

Third Sunday of Advent

Traditionally, this Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing’. Advent is about half over, and the day of the Lord’s coming is nearer. We worship God who promises us joy without end.

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

Opening Prayer:

God of glory and compassion, at your touch the wilderness blossoms, broken lives are made whole, and fearful hearts grow strong in faith.

Open our eyes to your presence and awaken our hearts to sing your praise. To all who long for your Son’s return grant perseverance and patience, that we may announce in word and deed the good news of the kingdom.

We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“When We All Get to Heaven” – Bill & Gloria Gaither

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 (NLT)
[Isaiah looks forward to the Day of Joy, when God’s power will be seen on earth.]

Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God.

With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.
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Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 146:6-10 (NLT)

He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the Lord!
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“What Joy (Psalm 146)” – Sarah Emerson

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A Reading from the Letters: James 5:7-10 (NLT)
[James reminds us to be patient, for the Lord’s coming in glory will be soon.]

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 11:2-11 (NLT)
[Isaiah’s prophesied came to pass in the life of Jesus.]

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
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“Hail to the Lord’s Annointed” – Indelible Grace

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Intercessory Prayer:

We rejoice in God, our Lord and Savior, who raises up those who are bowed down. Gracious God, hear our prayers:

+ That all the peoples of the world may discover the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Gospel…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all Christians everywhere may be filled with joy as they prepare for the Lord’s coming…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the blind, the lame, the sick and the deaf may receive healing and strength…. Lord, hear us.
+ That children everywhere who are in need this day, may be provided for and loved…. Lord, hear us.
+ That people who live in fear may have courage and confidence in your certain return…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who have died (especially through violence in the Middle East), may be raised up to glory…. Lord, hear us.

O God, you keep faith with those in need of your kindness and justice, receive our prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Gaudete” – Celtic Thunder

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!
[Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!]

Tempus adest gratiae, Hoc quod optabamus;
Carmina laeticiae Devote redamus.
[The time of grace has come, This that we have desired;
Verses of joy, Let us devoutly return.]

Deus homo factus est, Natura mirante;
Mundus renovatus est, A Christo regnante.
[God has become man, Nature marveling;
The world has been renewed, By the reigning Christ.]

Ergo nostra concito Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.
[Therefore let our gathering, Now sing in brightness
Let it give praise to the Lord: Greeting to our King.]

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!
Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!
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Benediction:

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. – Revelation 22:20-21
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: Sat, 10 Dec – Psalm 80:2- 3, 15-16, 18-19; Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Matthew 17:9-13 ~ come to rescue us

Saturday in the Second Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait for the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 (NLT)

Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us! Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
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Take care of this grapevine that you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself. For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies. May they perish at the sight of your frown.
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Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more. Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
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Reading: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 (RSVCE)

Monastery of St Catherine, Icon: The Prophet Elijah.

Then the prophet Eli′jah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch. He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number. By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire. How glorious you were, O Eli′jah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have?
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You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire; you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written, to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

Blessed are those who saw you, and those who have been adorned in love; for we also shall surely live.
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Reading: Matthew 17:9-13 (NLT)

The icon of John the Baptist from Assumption Cathedral of the Ryazan Kremlin. XVI century

As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”

Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.
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Prayer:

Mighty God: As now we live in faith and hope, prepare us to see your face.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

+ We await your return: Come, Jesus, our Saviour!
+ We await your wisdom and understanding: Come, Jesus, our Saviour!
+ We await your counsel and power: Come, Jesus, our Saviour!
+ We await your revelation of the Father: Come, Jesus, our Saviour!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Days of Elijah” – Paul Wilbur

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Fri, 09 Dec – Psalm 1:1-6; Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19 ~ listen and prosper

Friday in the Second Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 1:1-6 (NLT)

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
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Reading: Isaiah 48:17-19 (NLT)

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore—too many to count! There would have been no need for your destruction, or for cutting off your family name.”

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Reading: Matthew 11:16-19 (NLT)

“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’

For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father:

+ You have taught me what is good
+ You have led, me along the paths to follow
+ You have given me a love for Your Word
+ You have blessed my life that I may bless others

In this season of Advent: fill me with Your Spirit

+ That I may enter into the joy of the season
+ That I may hear and obey Your Word to me
+ That I may live faithfully in this age
+ That I may be prepared for the age to come

Lord Jesus Christ: be glorified in me and, through me, in others. Amen.
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“Song on Psalm 1” – Sons of Korah

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Thu, 08 Dec – Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38 ~ God’s plan unfolds

Thursday in the Second Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 98:1-4 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.

His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
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Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 (NLT)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
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Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.
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Reading: Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

“Blessed Art Thou Among Women,” By Walter Rane

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
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Prayer:

All praise to you, Lord God, for you have done marvelous deeds.

+ You have won for us a mighty victory in Christ Jesus
+ You have shown us your saving power in Christ Jesus
+ You have revealed to us your righteousness in Christ Jesus
+ You have fulfilled your promise of love and faithfulness to us in Christ Jesus

Blessed are you, Mary, favored servant of God.

+ You overcame fear and confusion through faithful obedience
+ You believed that nothing is impossible with God
+ You gave birth to Jesus, Son of the Most High
+ You gave birth to Jesus, whose Kingdom is forever

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

+ You have united us with Christ Jesus and blessed us with every spiritual blessing
+ You have loved us and chosen us in Christ Jesus to be holy and faultless
+ You have adopted us into your family through Christ Jesus
+ You have have poured out your grace on us through Christ Jesus

Glory to you, Lord God, we are united with Christ Jesus according to you purpose and plan. Jesus is ours and we are his! Amen.
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“Union with Christ “ – New Scottish Hymns Band

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Wed, 07 Dec – Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10; Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30 ~ rest for my soul

Wednesday in the Second Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name). Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
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The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
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He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
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Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31 (NLT)

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.

O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
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Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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Prayer:

Compassionate God: You are filled with unfailing love –

+ You forgive all my sins
+ You heal all my diseases
+ You redeem me from death
+ You crown me with love and tender mercies

Everlasting God: You created the whole earth –

+ You never grow weak or weary
+ Your understanding is beyond my comprehension
+ You strengthen all who trust in You
+ You enable me to soar… to run… to walk

Lord Jesus Christ, Your are the visible image of the invisible God –

+ You are humble and gentle at heart
+ Your Way is not burdensome
+ You offer rest for my soul
+ In You I rest; in You I hope; in You I trust

Amen.
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“Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)” – Kari Jobe

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!

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