+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,
for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
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Reading: Psalm 10:17 (NLT)
Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.
__________
Reading: Proverbs 16:7 (NLT)
When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.
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Reading: Romans 12:17-18 (NLT)
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
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Prayer:
Father God: Send Your children out as peacemakers, that the whole world may know the peace of Christ.
+ We pray for those who are victims of war, who live with violence and uncertainty.
+ We pray for those who have chosen to live among the poor and unprotected.
+ We pray for those who speak out for those whose voice cannot be heard, the silenced and abused.
+ We pray for those who minister peace by bringing common understanding and reconciliation to the estranged.
Lord Jesus: fill us with Your peace, that our efforts at peacemaking may flow from the deep inner reservoir of Your Spirit within us. To You be honor, blessing and glory forever. Amen.
__________
“”The Peace Of Christ” – – Tommy Walker
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Blessing
You are the light of the world;
let your good deeds shine out for all to see,
so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Today, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Rejoicing in this calling, we praise God who sustains us all our days.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you have called your people to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Give us vigorous faith and a love that is genuine, so that all may see our works and give you the glory. 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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“Here I Am to Worship” – The Acappella Company
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 58:7-10 (NLT)
[Isaiah suggests some ways of shining light in the world’s darkness.]
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.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 112:4-9 (NLT)
Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
__________
“This Little Light of Mine” – The Acappella Company
__________
A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NLT)
[Paul speaks of his reliance on the power of God.]
When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)
[Jesus calls us to be examples of Christian living.]
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
__________
“Lord We Come Before Thee Now” – The Acappella Company
__________
Intercessory Prayer:
Gracious God: You have given us Your Son Jesus – the Light of the world – to shine Light in our dark world. Conform our prayers to His perfect will that our lives might reflect His glory. Lord, hear us when we call –
+ That we might freely share what we have with the hungry, homeless and helpless…
+ That we might work tirelessly to remove the yoke of oppression from the weak and powerless…
+ That we might exhibit wisdom and sound judgement in all that we say and do…
+ That we might grow in godliness, obedience and love and experience Your healing power…
Merciful God, You are the Light that makes clear our way before us. Hear our prayers through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
__________
“To Him Who Sits On the Throne” – The Acappella Company
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Benediction:
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. – Revelation 7:12
__________
+ 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
Teach me again, Lord, to number my days.
Call out in me again a willingness to love and serve.
__________
Reading: Psalm 72:1-4 (NLT)
Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly. May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitful. Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.
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Reading: Proverbs 3:13-18 (NLT)
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
__________
Reading: James 1:5 (NLT)
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
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Prayer for Wisdom: (adapted from “Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom” – Wisdom 9 RSVCE)
O God of my fathers and Lord of mercy, who has made all things by Your Word, and by Your Wisdom has formed mankind, to have dominion over the creatures You have made, and rule the world in holiness and righteousness, and pronounce judgment in uprightness of soul, give me the Wisdom that sits by Your throne, and accept my service and love.
For I am Your servant, one who is weak and short-lived, with little understanding of judgment and laws; for even if I were perfect by human standards, yet without the Wisdom that comes from You I will be regarded as nothing.
For my human reasoning is worthless, and my designs are likely to fail, for a perishable body weighs down my soul, and this earthy tent burdens my thoughts. I can hardly figure out what is happening on earth; but You have traced out what is in the heavens. But, You have given me Wisdom and sent the Holy Spirit from on high as my Counselor.
Give me Your Wisdom and understanding as the day unfolds, that I may do and say what pleases You, and stay on the path that leads to eternal life. Through Jesus Christ, the embodiment of Wisdom, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
__________
“Everything We Need” – The Acappella Company
__________
Blessing
May I embody Your ready kindness in these days, for things will not be as they were before.
+ 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
Teach me again, Lord, to number my days.
Call out in me again a willingness to love and serve.
__________
Reading: Psalm 25:5-6 (NLT)
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.
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Reading: Proverbs 3:3-6 (NLT)
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
__________ Reading: Luke 10:1-3 (NLT)
The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.”
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Prayer for Strength in Weakness:
Christ is the image of the unseen God, the first-born of all creation, and the first to be born from the dead. All things are to be reconciled through him because he made peace by his death on the cross.
Lord Jesus, come to us today.
+ We have been baptized into your death: clothe us in the strength and gentleness of your love.
+ We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit; help us to bear witness to you in the society in which we live.
+ We have been sent out as lambs among wolves; grant us wisdom and sound judgement as we speak the truth in love.
+ We have been granted citizenship in Your Kingdom; make us loyal ambassadors of kindness, freedom and hope.
Lord Jesus, come to us today. Work within us to keep us faithful to Your commandments, comfort us in this present life and encourage us with the promise of eternal joy in the next. To the honor and glory of Your name. Amen.
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“My Only Hope is You” – The Acappella Company
__________
Blessing
May I embody You ready kindness in these days, for things will not be as they were before.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 