Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 26 Feb: Is 49:14-15; Ps 62:2-3, 6-9; 1 Cor 4:1-5; Mt 6:24-34 ~ not to worry

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord gathers us into his loving embrace, the Lord who invites us not to worry about tomorrow. Setting our hearts on his kingdom, we entrust all our tomorrows to him and ask him to help us live for this, his day.

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

Opening Prayer:

Lord God, your care for us surpasses even a mother’s tender love. Renew our trust in your faithfulness, that we may abandon all anxiety and seek first your kingdom. 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.
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“How Great Thou Art “ – Blue Rock Mennonite Youth

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 49:14-15 (NLT)

Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.”

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 62:2-3, 6-9 NLT)

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

So many enemies against one man—all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence.
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He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.
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“Psalm 62” – Aaron Keyes

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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (NLT)

So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:38-48 (NLT)

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
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“It Is Well With My Soul” – A Capella Singing

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Intercessory Prayer:

Faithful God, our rock and our stronghold, hear the deep yearnings of our hearts and attend to our needs.

+ For all believers, that we may experience your tender love…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christian leaders, that they may teach by word and example…. Lord, hear us.
+ For parents everywhere, that they may be supported in their task of raising the next generation…. Lord, hear us.
+ For women everywhere, that all cultures may respect women’s rights and dignity…. Lord, hear us.
+ For believers everywhere, as we begin Lent this week, that we may learn humility and seek your Kingdom above all else…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who have died in Christ, that they may enjoy eternal rest and peace with you…. Lord, hear us.

Faithful God, our fortress and our strength, hear our prayers and help us grow in love for you and trust in your promises. We ask this through Jesus Christ out Lord. Amen.
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“Great is thy faithfulness” – Songs of Praise

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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 Thessaalonians 5:23-24
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: Sat, 25 Feb – Psalm 80:16-19; 2 Chronicles 31:20-21; Ephesians 5:15-17 ~ carpe diem

Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Almighty God, give me grace to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that I may fix my heart on Jesus Christ your Son my Lord where true joy is to be found. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 80:16-19 (NLT)

For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies. May they perish at the sight of your frown. Strengthen the man you love, the son of your choice. 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: 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (NLT)

In this way, King Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah, doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God. In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.
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Reading: Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: I give you this day, come what may. Give me the wisdom to make the most of every opportunity you place before me.

+ Give me right motives in all I do; to love and serve you.
+ Give me discernment to follow your lead; to set aside my own agenda.
+ Give me companions to share the load; to help me in my weakness.
+ Give me love for friends and enemies alike; to seek and save the lost.

Heavenly Father: Fill me with your Spirit and give me the power to accomplish what you give me to do today. Through Jesus Christ, your Son and my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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“Here I Am Send Me” – Darlene Zschech

Ev’ry knee; will bow | Ev’ry tongue, confess | Ev’ry heart; will cry out Your Name | You are welcome, You’re welcome

Ev’ry life, will see | The glory of our King | Jesus come; and reign in our hearts | You are welcome, You’re welcome

Holy Spirit come; come in power | My life is Yours, my life is Yours | Holy Spirit come; start a fire | My life is Yours, my life is Yours!

God of heav’n and earth | We long for more of You | Come and meet; with us as we pray | You are welcome, You’re welcome

Here I am; send me | Here I am; send me | Here I am; send me, God!

Send me; to the nations | Send me; to my neighbors | Send me; with Your love!
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Blessing

May God keep you in all your days.
May Christ shield you in all your ways.
May the Spirit bring you healing and peace.

May God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from you and pour upon you blessing and light.

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

Why Christians Must Stand Against Anti-Semitism | reblog Joe Carter

by Joe Carter, thegospelcoalition.org
February 22, 2017

[Original Article]

The Story: Several dozens anti-Semitic threats and acts of vandalism have occurred over the past few weeks, causing Jewish Americans throughout the country to fear for their safety.

The Background: Over the weekend vandals toppled about 170 headstones at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. The FBI and Department of Justice are also investigating a rash of bomb threats to Jewish centers across the United States. Since January 54 Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) in 27 states and one Canadian province have received 69 bomb threats, including 11 on Monday.

According to ABC News, David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, said that while the JCCs that received the threats have all resumed operations “with a heightened level of security,” he added, “we will not be cowed by threats intended to disrupt people’s lives.”

“While we are relieved that all such threats have proven to be hoaxes and that not a single person was harmed, we are concerned about the anti-Semitism behind these threats, and the repetition of threats intended to interfere with day-to-day life,” said Posner. “Local JCCs serve not just the Jewish community but the entire community. Participants from all different backgrounds come to their local JCCs.”

These incidents follow a rise over the past few years in anti-Semitic violence. As Matthew Hawkins of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission notes,

Lest we think this is only a European problem, violent anti-Semitic assaults in the U.S. saw an increase of over 50 percent in 2015. Anti-Semitic incidents on American college campuses alone doubled in 2015. Those numbers eclipse 2014, which was already a disturbingly high year for such incidents. That was the year the FBI reported that 56 percent of all anti-religious hate crimes were anti-Semitic in nature, though Jews make up a mere 1.8 percent of the population. That year also included the murder of three people by a white-supremacist gunman who opened fire at two Jewish institutions in Kansas, a day before Passover.

Why It Matters: The German journalist Wilhelm Marr, founder of the Antisemiten-Liga (Anti-Semitic League), coined the term “anti-Semitism” in an 1879 pamphlet opposing the influence of Jews on German culture. Marr was an instigator of anti-Jewish sentiment in 19th century Germany who became to regret his animus. Toward the end of his life, he published another pamphlet, Testament of an Antisemite, renounced his own hatred of the Jewish people, and expressed concern that anti-Semitism in Germany was becoming entangled with mysticism and nationalism.

Marr had reason to be worried. Over the next 66 years, the German people showed the world how Judenhass (“Jew-hatred”) could lead to Auschwitz and Nazi extermination camps. But the problem was not just with Marr and other Germans. The road to the Holocaust was paved by centuries of anti-Semitism, and crosses through a large swath of the history of Christianity. Even after the scandal of Shoah it took until the end of the 20th century for the Christian community to finally and forcefully repudiate anti-Semitism and repent of our sinful disdain, prejudice, and hatred toward the Jewish people.

Unfortunately, while the “longest hatred” has been significantly quelled in the United States it has not been eradicated from within the hearts of men. We may not be able to directly stop the violence and harassment ourselves but Christians can, as a community of believers, calm some of the concerns of Jewish Americans by showing we are in solidarity with them. We can say, as the Southern Baptist Convention did in 2003, that we “denounce all forms of anti-Semitism as contrary to the teachings of our Messiah and an assault on the revelation of Holy Scripture” and that “we affirm to Jewish people around the world that we stand with them against any harassment that violates our historic commitments to religious liberty and human dignity.” We can send them the message that we Americans who worship the King of the Jews will no longer tolerate anti-Semitism in our country.

Morning Prayer: Fri, 24 Feb – Psalm 139:7-12; Genesis 12:1; Revelation 14:13 ~ everywhere I go

Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Almighty God, give me grace to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that I may fix my heart on Jesus Christ your Son my Lord where true joy is to be found. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 139:7-12 (NLT)

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.
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Reading: Genesis 12:1 (NLT)

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.
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Reading: Revelation 14:13 (NLT)

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”
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Prayer:

Christ Jesus, our great high priest: you sympathize with us in our weakness, because you have been tempted in every way, but did not sin. Lord, show us your mercy and compassion.

+ Lord, for the joy which lay in the future, you willingly went to the cross: make us share your death, that we may also share your joy.
+ Lord, you said ‘Let any man who thirsts come to me and drink’: give your Spirit now to those who thirst for you.
+ Lord, you sent your disciples to preach the gospel to every nation: bless those men and women who devote their lives to preaching the gospel today.
+ Lord, help those in pain to know that the Father cares for them for he loves them as he loves you, his own Son.

Almighty Father, let your light so penetrate our minds that, walking in your commandments, we may always follow you, our leader and guide. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Everywhere I Go” – Tim Timmons

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Blessing

May God keep you in all your days.
May Christ shield you in all your ways.
May the Spirit bring you healing and peace.

May God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from you and pour upon you blessing and light.

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

Morning Prayer: Thu, 23 Feb – Psalm 90:17; Isaiah 58:6-12; Matthew 11:28-30 ~ success is not a secret

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Almighty God, give me grace to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that I may fix my heart on Jesus Christ your Son my Lord where true joy is to be found. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 90:17 (NLT)

And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
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Reading: Isaiah 58:6-12 (NLT)

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
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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:

Gracious God: show us your approval and make our efforts successful.

+ Replace our heavy burdens with your burdens that are light and easy to bear.
+ Give us your humble, gentle heart and a willingness to follow your lead.
+ Open our eyes to the suffering and oppression that you see around us.
+ Use us to free the oppressed, care for the needy, and lighten the burdens of those in trouble.

Merciful God: you emptied yourself for us so that we might empty ourselves for you. Make our efforts successful that we may become your light in the darkness. Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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“Isaiah 58” – collin campbell

Oh how long will you cry out | And never truly seek my face | You come to me with heavy hearts | But you ignore what makes mine break

I see your thoughts, I hear your words | And I have watched you as you’ve prayed | I’ve told you my desires | But you don’t follow all the way

Children, I’m crying out

Every day you lift your voice | And await my swift response | But I see only what’s inside | And it’s (what i see on the inside) an offering I don’t want

Blessing

May God keep you in all your days.
May Christ shield you in all your ways.
May the Spirit bring you healing and peace.

May God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from you and pour upon you blessing and light.

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

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