The Lenten Season | Wednesday 28 Feb 2024
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Almighty God,
you know that we have no power
in ourselves to help ourselves:
Keep us both outwardly in our bodies
and inwardly in our souls,
that we may be defended from all adversities
that may happen to the body,
and from all evil thoughts
that may assault and hurt the soul;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
They were more concerned about
what people thought of them
than about what God thought of them.
(John 12:43)
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From Psalms: Psalm 105 – Poor Bishop Hooper (EveryPsalm)
give thanks give thanks to god and
call on his name so the nations may know
sing to him sing praises due him
tell of his wonder glory his name
remember remember
when israel was few
and strangers in the land to be given
they wandered in nations
god allowed no one to oppress them
but when he called down famine on the land
he sent joseph as a slave before
with shackles on feet and hand
all foretold came to pass as god planned
give thanks give thanks to god and
call on his name so the nations may know
sing to him sing praises due him
tell of his wonder glory his name
when israel was in egypt
strangers strong in the land of ham
the lord made them fruitful
too numerous for foes and their hearts turned against
but god sent his servants
moses and his brother aaron
they displayed miracles and signs miracles and wonders in the land
remember remember remember
darkness waters
frogs and swarms of flies and gnats everywhere
hail and lightning
locust and grasshopper
the lord took all of egypt’s firstborn
the firstfruits of their manhood
before israel left with silver and gold
give thanks give thanks to god and
call on his name so the nations may know
sing to him sing praises due him
tell of his wonder glory his name
remember remember remember
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OT Reading: Jeremiah 30:12-22 (GW)
30:12 “This is what the Lord says:
Your wound is incurable.
Your injury is beyond healing.
No one argues that you should be healed.
No medicine will heal you.
All your lovers have forgotten you,
and they don’t want you anymore.
I’ve punished you as an enemy would.
I’ve corrected you as a cruel person would.
You are very wicked, and you have many sins.
Why do you cry about your wound, your injury that can’t be cured?
I’ve done this to you.
You are very wicked, and you have many sins.
That is why everyone who devours you will be devoured,
and all your enemies will be taken away as captives.
Those who looted you will be looted.
Those who stole from you in war will have things stolen from them.
I’ll restore your health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord.
“People call you an outcast:
Zion, no one cares for you.
30:18 “This is what the Lord says:
I’m going to bring the captives back to Jacob’s tents
and show compassion on their homes.
Cities will be built on the ruins,
and fortified palaces will be built in their rightful place.
The people who live there will sing songs of praise,
and the sound of laughter will be heard from there.
I’ll make them numerous, and their number won’t decrease.
I’ll bring them honor, and they won’t be considered unimportant.
Their children will be like they were long ago.
Their community will be established in my presence,
and I will punish everyone who oppresses them.
Their leader will be someone from their own people.
Their ruler will come from among them.
I’ll bring him near, and he will come close to me.
Who would dare to come near me?” asks the Lord.
You will be my people, and I will be your God.
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Who the Son sets free by Hillsong | J W
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NT Reading: John 12:36-43 (GW)
12:36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you will become people whose lives show the light.”
After Jesus had said this, he was concealed as he left. Although they had seen Jesus perform so many miracles, they wouldn’t believe in him. In this way the words of the prophet Isaiah came true:
“Lord, who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord’s power been revealed?”
So the people couldn’t believe because, as Isaiah also said,
“God blinded them
and made them close-minded
so that their eyes don’t see
and their minds don’t understand.
And they never turn to me for healing!”
Isaiah said this because he had seen Jesus’ glory and had spoken about him.
Many rulers believed in Jesus. However, they wouldn’t admit it publicly because the Pharisees would have thrown them out of the synagogue. They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them.
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Fairest Lord Jesus – He is the Light [Hebrew Worship from Israel]
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+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your Church [especially in the Holy Land], that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Bring home the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically, and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Faith convinces us that God created the world through his word. This means what can be seen was made by something that could not be seen….
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
“Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me and for the Good News will save them. What good does it do for people to win the whole world yet lose their lives? Or what should a person give in exchange for life? If people are ashamed of me and what I say in this unfaithful and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of those people when he comes with the holy angels in his Father’s glory.”
He asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
The Peanut Gallery 