Category: Life in Christ

Wednesday of The 7th Week of Easter, 27 May 2020 – John 17:11-19, Acts 20:28-38, Psalm 68, John 17:17 ~ “Keep them safe from the evil one.”

Wednesday of The 7th Week of Easter, 27 May 2020

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

Opening:

God of mercy, you have gathered your Church together by the Holy Spirit. Keep us devoted to your service and united among ourselves. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.”

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A Reading from the Gospels: John 17:11-19 (NLT)

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – (Virtual Choir #4)

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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 20:28-38 (NLT)

So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

“And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.
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Arise Oh Yah Psalm 68 – James Block

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Closing: John 17:17 (NLT)

“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” 

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

Tuesday of The 7th Week of Easter, 26 May 2020 – John 17:1-11, Acts 20:17-27, Psalm 68:31-35, John 14:16 ~ Do you belong to Jesus?

Tuesday of The 7th Week of Easter, 26 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, let the grace of the Holy Spirit come upon us, so that we may hold fast to your will with fidelity and show it forth in a holy life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,who will never leave you.”

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A Reading from the Gospels: John 17:1-11 (NLT)

The Prayer of Jesus

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.
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Come, Spirit of God – Daniel Kopp · Sarah Liberman

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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 20:17-27 (NLT)

But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.

When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
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Psalm 68:10-32-35

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth.
Sing praises to the Lord.

Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens,
his mighty voice thundering from the sky.
Tell everyone about God’s power.
His majesty shines down on Israel;
his strength is mighty in the heavens.

Blessed be Our God (Psalm 68:32-35) – LIVE at the TOWER of DAVID, Jerusalem ~ Joshua Aaron

God is awesome in his sanctuary.
The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God!
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Closing: John 14:16 (NLT)

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,who will never leave you.  

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

Monday of The 7th Week of Easter, 25 May 2020 – John 16:29-33, Acts 19:1-8,Psalm 68, Col 3:1 ~ “Take heart… I have overcome the world.”

Monday of The 7th Week of Easter, 25 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, let the grace of the Holy Spirit come upon us, so that we may hold fast to your will with fidelity and show it forth in a holy life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

 

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Praise be to the Lord, to God, our Savior.
Praise to God Who daily bears our burdens.
Oh, Sovereign Lord You give us breath, You deliver us from death.
Praise to God Who daily bears our burdens.

Savior – Psalm 68 – Judy Rogers

Chariots of God are tens of thousands.
He is come into His sanctuary
Oh, our God is a God Who saves, therefore shall His name be praised.
He is come into His sanctuary.

Show us Your strength, oh Lord, as You have done before.
Let the mighty congregation hear Your thunder roar.

God is awesome in His sanctuary.
He will give His people strength and power.
Oh, He Who rules the earth and seas soon shall crush your enemies.
God is awesome in His sanctuary.

Show us your strength, oh Lord, as you have done before.
Let the mighty congregation hear Your thunder roar.

Praise be to the Lord, to God, our Savior.
Praise to God who daily bears our burdens.
Oh, Sovereign Lord You give us breath, You deliver us from death.
Praise to God who daily bears our burdens;
Praise be to the Lord, to God, our Savior.
Savior
Savior
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 16:29-33 (NLT)

Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”

Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 19:1-8 (NLT)

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.

“No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

“Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked.

And they replied, “The baptism of John.”

Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”

As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus

Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God.
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Psalm 68 (Let God Arise) – words by Isaac Watts / Music by Gregory Wilbur

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Closing: Col 3:1 (NLT)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ,
set your sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  

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

The Sunday after Ascension, 24 May 2020 – John 17:1-11, Psalm 27, 1 Peter 4:13-16 ~ protect and unite us by the power of your name.

The Sunday after Ascension, 24 May 2020, 24 May 2020 

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

Opening:

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

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“Jesus Shall Reign” – Tarkwa Crusaders Choral -Ghana.

1 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does its successive journeys run,
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more.

2 To him shall endless prayer be made, and praises throng to crown his head.
His name like sweet perfume shall rise with every morning sacrifice.

3 People and realms of every tongue dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim their early blessings on his name.

4 Blessings abound where’er he reigns: the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest, and all who suffer want are blest.

5 Let every creature rise and bring the highest honors to our King,
angels descend with songs again, and earth repeat the loud amen.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 17:1-11 (NLT)

The Prayer of Jesus

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.
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Psalm 27 (One Thing) – Shane & Shane

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Prayers of Intercession:

Lord God: My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Hear us as we pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer us!

+ You are our light and our salvation, guide us through the dark valleys of these days….
+ You are our light and our salvation, teach us how to live under the shadow of death….
+ You are our light and our salvation, show us how to lift our heads high and sing your praises….

+ You are our fortress, keep us on a high rock out of danger’s reach and deliver us from fear….
+ You are our fortress, fill us with faith and confidence even though we are surrounded by enemies….
+ You are our fortress, defend us, cause our enemies to stumble and fall when they attack us….

+ You are our sanctuary, hold us close to you, that we may delight in you….
+ You are our sanctuary, hold us close to you, that we may live with you forever….
+ You are our sanctuary, hold us close to you, that we may stay focused on you….

+ You are our helper, don’t leave us or reject us in these times of trouble….
+ You are our helper, heal the sick and those dying from this world-wide plague…
+ You are our helper, be ever-present with those who are isolated and alone….

Lord God: I am confident I will see your goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
Hear us as we pray, O Lord. Give us strength, courage, and patience as we wait for you.
Through Jesus Christ, your Son our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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A Reading from the Epistles: 1 Peter 4:13-16 (NLT)

Be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

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Rooftops – Jesus Culture

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Closing: John 14:1 (NLT)

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday of The 6th Week of Easter, 23 May 2020 – John 16:23-28, Acts 18:23-28, Psalm 47 ~ Jesus returns to the Father

Saturday of The 6th Week of Easter, 23 May 2020

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

Opening:

God and Father, your Son, at his ascension, promised the Holy Spirit to his apostles. They received abundant graces of wisdom from heaven: grant us, also, we pray, the gifts of your Spirit. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“I came from the Father into the world,
and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 16:23-28 (NLT)

At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

“I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
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Responsorial Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9, 10 (NLT)T

+ The Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.

He subdues the nations before us,
putting our enemies beneath our feet.

+ The Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.

God reigns above the nations,
sitting on his holy throne.

+ The Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.

The rulers of the world have gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.

+ The Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.

For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere.

+ The Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts 18:23-28 (NLT)

Apollos Instructed at Ephesus

Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.
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The Lord Reigns – Lindell Cooley Lyrics Living Waters Ministries

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Closing: John 16:27-28 (NLT)

“The Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”

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