+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
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“If you consider yourself an American citizen who supports this country even a little bit—you don’t have to be a flag-waving patriot for this—how do you feel about a criminal sitting in the oval office of the White House as president of the United States?” – Roger L. Simon (P.J. Media)
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Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
+ You alone are the standard for right living.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
+ Restore Your rule over America that we may, once again, be a nation “under God.”
Give us this day our daily bread,
+ Give us a spirit of generosity that we may freely share America’s abundance with the needy.
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
+ Forgive the moral decay in our country; and forgive Your people’s complicity through what we have said and done.
+ Forgive the moral decay in our country; and forgive Your people’s complicity through our silence.
And lead us not into temptation,
+ Lead us not into pride and self-righteousness; help us to get over ourselves.
+ Lead us not into absenteeism on November 8th – dereliction for our civil duty.
+ Lead us not into the “principled stupidity” of voting for 3rd party or write-in candidates.
+ Lead us not into voting for a person under federal criminal investigation because of gender.
+ Lead us not into willful ignorance of the consequences of this election.
but deliver us from evil.
+ Deliver us from the evil of abortion and its proponents both in and out of government.
+ Deliver us from the evil of criminal enterprises embedded both in and out of government .
+ Deliver us from the evil of globalism – the modern version of the “Tower of Babel.”
+ Deliver us from the evil of endless, unjust wars without purpose.
Sovereign God: we place ourselves and our country in Your hands. For Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory. Forever!
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We worship God, whose mercy for all people never fails. Zacchaeus took Jesus at his word and changed his life.
Opening Prayer:
Just and merciful God, true Lord of every house, sure delight of every heart, come into our midst today to speak your word and satisfy our hunger. Enable us to see you clearly, to welcome you with joy, and to give justice and mercy a place in our lives. Grant 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.
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“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” – at Royal Albert Hall, London
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A Reading from the Apocrypha: Wisdom 11:22-12:2 (NRSVCE)
[God loves all of creation and encourages those who sin to repent.]
The whole world before you is like a speck that tips the scales, and like a drop of morning dew that falls on the ground. But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things, and you overlook people’s sins, so that they may repent.
For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it. How would anything have endured if you had not willed it? Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved?
You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living. For your immortal spirit is in all things.
Therefore you correct little by little those who trespass, and you remind and warn them of the things through which they sin, so that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in you, O Lord.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13, 14 (NLT)
I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.
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The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
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For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
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The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
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“Psalm 145” – Travis Cottrel
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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 (NLT)
[Paul writes of his pleasure at the faith of the community. But he also wants to reassure those disturbed by a false claim that Christ is about to return.]
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)
[Zacchaeus welcomes his savior into his house and decides to change his ways.]
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
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“I will never be the same again.” – Sapphire Singers
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Intercessory Prayer:
Merciful God: You raise those who are bowed down with grief or worry. Hear our prayers.
+ For those who follow Christ — that we, like Zacchaeus, may declare our sins and find peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have never known Your love — that Your mercy may surround them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the suffering people of Aleppo and Syria — that You may defend them and protect them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For refugees of good will — that they may find safe havens and support while waiting to return home…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the people on the edge of our communities — that they may discover You are close to them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those in need, the sick and the worried — that the care of friends may bring them peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the upcoming US presidential election – that truth, justice and wisdom may prevail, and that Your will be done…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who have died in Christ – that they may know Your compassion and dwell with You eternally…. Lord, hear us.
O God our King, You support Your people in all our needs: show us Your kindness, we pray, through Christ our Lord.
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“Faithful one” – Robin Mark
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Benediction:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. – 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Proverbs 28:2 (NLT)
When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
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“In the last presidential election, it’s estimated that 20 to 30 million Christians stayed home. We can’t let this happen again! The future of our nation is riding on this election… The Christian voice needs to be heard.” – Franklin Graham
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Prayer for Voter Turnout:
Sovereign God:
The future of America is in your hands; revive us and rescue us from the moral rot that has infested our government and our nation. On November 8th, your people have an opportunity to change the direction of our country. Raise up a mighty army of believers who will vote for the redemption of America.
Holy Spirit:
Impress on the heart of every believer what’s at stake in this election and move them out of their pews and into their polling places in unprecedented numbers.
Specifically, bring to their attention:
+ The attack by the government on pro-life advocates – suing a group of Catholic nuns, the Little Sisters of the Poor, because they refuse to provide birth control and abortive drugs to employees, because of their religious convictions.
+ The attacks by the government on traditional marriage – suing clergy who refuse to perform same-sex weddings, because of their religious convictions.
+ The attacks by the government on small businesses – suing bakers, photographers and florists who refuse to provide their services at same-sex weddings, because of their religious convictions.
+ The government’s threat to court-martial service personnel who talk about their faith and military chaplains who pray “in the name of Jesus.”
+ The government’s abuse of the IRS to intimidate believer’s religious freedom to discuss issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and the sanctity of life in church.
+ The threats of lawsuits to intimidate schools and students into not mentioning God or Jesus’ name in graduation speeches, and forbidding prayer before football games
“I earnestly pray that the Omnipotent Being who has not deserted the cause of America in the hour of its extremist hazard, will never yield so fair a heritage of freedom a prey to “Anarchy” or “Despotism.” – George Washington
Lord Jesus:
“For freedom you have set us free.” Awaken your people to the incremental loss of religious freedom that has taken place in America. Move them to vote in great numbers to regain the unique privileges of American citizenship – freedom of religious belief, freedom of thought, freedom to worship, and freedom to speak out against rulers’ oppression.
You have called us to be “the light of the world” – may your people be a brightly shining beacon of hope on November 8th.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.
I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.
I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
Reading: Psalm 119:153-160 (NLT)
Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions. Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised. The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.
Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations. Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws. Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word.
See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love. The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.
Reading: Jonah 2:5-7 (NLT)
Icon of Jonah and the Whale Juliet Venter Metal Prints
“I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple….”
Reading: Romans 8:11 (NLT)
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
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Declaration of Faith:
Lord, I will trust You, help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You.
+ I determine amidst all uncertainty always to trust.
+ I choose to live beyond regret, and let You recreate my life.
+ I believe You will make a way for me and provide for me, if only I trust You.
+ I will trust in the darkness and know that my times are still in Your hand.
+ I will believe You for my future, chapter by chapter, until the story is written.
Lord, I will trust You, help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You.
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“Oceans Where feet may fail” – Hillsong (Worshipmob version)
You call me out upon the waters | The great unknown where feet may fail | And there I find You in the mystery | In oceans deep | My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name | And keep my eyes above the waves | When oceans rise | My soul will rest in Your embrace | For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters | Your sovereign hand | Will be my guide | Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me | You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders | Let me walk upon the waters | Wherever You would call me | Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander | And my faith will be made stronger | In the presence of my Savior
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Jesus 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!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.
I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.
I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
Reading: Psalm 119:145-152 (NLT)
I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your decrees.
I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws. I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise. In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.
Lawless people are coming to attack me; they live far from your instructions. But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true. I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever.
Reading: Habakkuk 2:1, 3 (NLT)
I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard-post. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint.
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This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Reading: Romans 10:13-15 (NLT)
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
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Listen,
+ sensing when the spirit’s stirred,
+ there is healing in the waters
if God’s touch is what you seek.
We must wait,
and know God’s moment,
listen well before we speak.
Listen,
+ and let the silence cradle you.
Listen,
+ for the Voice that’s speaking through
all the chaos of the talking
and the Babel that divides.
And in waiting for
God’s moment
that in peacefulness decides,
Listen
+ God is not in a hurry.
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“Waiting Here for You” – Christy Nockels
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Jesus 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!
The Peanut Gallery 