Lenten Prayer: 1st Wednesday, 24 Feb 2021 – Psalm 77; Proverbs 30:1-9; Matthew 4:1-11 ~ Resisting with Christ.

Lenten Prayer: 1st Wednesday, 24 Feb 2021

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

Opening:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted
by many temptations, and, as you know the weaknesses of each
of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
(Matthew 4:10)

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Psalms: Psalm 77 (Lament) – Fellowship Worship

[Seth shares a song of lament birthed out of Psalm 77 and walking through the process of both his family’s failed adoption and his friend’s ongoing struggle in a successful adoption.]

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OT Reading: Proverbs 30:1-9 (ESV)

30 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.

The man declares, I am weary, O God;
I am weary, O God, and worn out.
2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
I have not the understanding of a man.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
Surely you know!

5 Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

7 Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9 lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.

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Thy Word – Amy Grant

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NT Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV)

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”

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Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship

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Prayer:

+ Our Father in heaven: lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil!

__ We renounce the devil and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God.
__ We renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.
__ We renounce the sinful desires of the flesh that draw us from the love of God.

__ We confess Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, to whom is given all power and authority in heaven and on earth.
__ We receive the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as our sole authority for faith and practice.
__ We promise, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to keep your commandments, and walk in your ways all the days of our lives.

+ Our Father in heaven: strengthen us with your Holy Spirit, empower us for your service; and sustain us all the days of our lives.

+ For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever! Amen.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us.
May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm.
May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us.
May He bring us home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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

Lenten Prayer: 1st Tuesday, 23 Feb 2021 – Psalm 77; Job 5:8-27; 1 Peter 3:8-18a ~ Suffering with Christ.

Lenten Prayer: 1st Tuesday, 23 Feb 2021

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

Opening:

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake,
you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy….”
(1 Peter 3:14-15)

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Psalms: Psalm 77: “I Will Remember”
(Words and music by Bethany Breland)

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OT Reading: Job 5:8-27 (ESV)

8 “As for me, I would seek God,
and to God would I commit my cause,
9 who does great things and unsearchable,
marvelous things without number:
10 he gives rain on the earth
and sends waters on the fields;
11 he sets on high those who are lowly,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
14 They meet with darkness in the daytime
and grope at noonday as in the night.
15 But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth
and from the hand of the mighty.
16 So the poor have hope,
and injustice shuts her mouth.

17 “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For he wounds, but he binds up;
he shatters, but his hands heal.
19 He will deliver you from six troubles;
in seven no evil shall touch you.
20 In famine he will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue,
and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh,
and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.
23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field,
and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
24 You shall know that your tent is at peace,
and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your offspring shall be many,
and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
26 You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,
like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27 Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.
Hear, and know it for your good.”

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Nothing He Can’t Do – Community Music

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NT Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-18a (ESV)

Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

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Way Maker – Leeland

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Prayer:

+ O God, you desire that all people be saved and come to knowledge of the truth: Prosper all those who live, preach, and teach the Gospel at home and in distant lands; protect them in all perils, support them in their loneliness, sustain them in the hour of trial; give them your abundant grace to bear faithful witness; and endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution for righteousness’ sake:

__Set free the prisoners, and vindicate all those suffering hardship and injustice….

__Help and strengthen their families and loved ones during their time of trial….

__Raise up your Church to stand up for truth and provide support for them….

__Raise up world leaders to intercede with authorities on their behalf….

__Pour out a spirit of repentance on the persecutors, that they may confess their sins, turn to you, and be saved.

Sovereign Lord, we dare approach your throne of grace, on behalf of these our brothers and sisters, in the name of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

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

Lenten Prayer: 1st Monday, 22 Feb 2021 – Psalm 77; Job 4:1-21; Ephesians 2:1-10 ~ Raised with Christ.

Lenten Prayer: 1st Monday, 22 Feb 2021

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

Opening:

God, being rich in mercy,
because of the great love with which he loved us,
even when we were dead in our trespasses,
made us alive together with Christ
—by grace you have been saved—
(Ephesians 2:4-5)

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Psalms: Psalm 77
In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord

Psalm 77 – Cornerstone Collective
Words and music by Susan Whaley, Nicholas Burner, and Matthew Westerholm

Your way, O God, is holy,
What god is great like You?
For You work mighty wonders,
Your power is seen in all You do

When I whisper in the night, do You hear me?
When I call upon your name, do You hear my voice?

I will remember my song in the night
I will remember Your deeds, O Lord
When Your plan is not in sight,
Let me remember all that You’ve done

Your way, O God, is holy,
Your path runs through the storm
And though the earth is shaking,
You hold Your children in Your arms

When I cry out in the day, do You hear me?
When I call upon Your name, do You hear my voice?

You are Mighty, You are Maker,
You are kindness and compassion
For You were made flesh, You were broken,
You were raised for our atonement
You will speak and You will lead us,
You will come and reign in glory

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OT Reading: Job 4:1-21 (ESV)

4 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

2 “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
Yet who can keep from speaking?
3 Behold, you have instructed many,
and you have strengthened the weak hands.
4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
and you have made firm the feeble knees.
5 But now it has come to you, and you are impatient;
it touches you, and you are dismayed.
6 Is not your fear of God your confidence,
and the integrity of your ways your hope?

7 “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished?
Or where were the upright cut off?
8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity
and sow trouble reap the same.
9 By the breath of God they perish,
and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.
10 The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion,
the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11 The strong lion perishes for lack of prey,
and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily;
my ear received the whisper of it.
13 Amid thoughts from visions of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men,
14 dread came upon me, and trembling,
which made all my bones shake.
15 A spirit glided past my face;
the hair of my flesh stood up.
16 It stood still,
but I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
there was silence, then I heard a voice:
17 ‘Can mortal man be in the right before God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker?
18 Even in his servants he puts no trust,
and his angels he charges with error;
19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
whose foundation is in the dust,
who are crushed like the moth.
20 Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces;
they perish forever without anyone regarding it.
21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them,
do they not die, and that without wisdom?’

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Redeemed – Big Daddy Weave

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NT Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)

By Grace Through Faith

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

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Awake My Soul – Hope Sounds

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Prayer:

+ O Lord our God, grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart: that desiring you, we may seek you; and that seeking you, we may find you; and that finding you, we may love you; and that loving you, we may hate those sins from which you have delivered us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Blessing

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

First Sunday in Lent: 21 Feb 2021 – Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; Mark 1:9-13 – With Christ in the wilderness.

First Sunday in Lent: 21 Feb 2021

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

Opening:

The Spirit immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness.
And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.
And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
(Mark 1:12-13)

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O God, Our Help in Ages Past (Grace Community Church)

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O.T. Reading: Genesis 9:8-17 (ESV)

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

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Psalms: Psalm 25 (Your Ways O Lord) – WorshipNOW Modern Psalms

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N.T. Gospel Reading: Mark 1:9-13 (ESV)

The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Temptation of Jesus

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

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Battle Belongs – Phil Wickham

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Prayer:

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

+ Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: Ephesians 3:120-21

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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

Saturday after Ash Wednesday; 20 Feb 2021 – Psalm 25:1-10; Psalm 32; Matthew 9:2-13 ~ Show mercy to sinners.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday; 20 Feb 2021

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

Opening:

Out of your power and compassion, O God,
you sent your Son into our afflicted world
to proclaim the day of salvation.
Heal the brokenhearted, bind up our wounds.
Bring us health of body and spirit
and raise us to new life in your service.
We pray 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. Amen.

Jesus said… “Go and learn what this means:
‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’
For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
(Matthew 9:13)

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Psalms: Psalm 25 (Responsorial)
Music: Alejandro D. Consolacion II
Cantor: Charry May Balboa

R: Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

4 Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.

R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

6 Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
7 In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.

R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

8 Good and upright is the LORD,
thus he shows sinners the way.
9 He guides the humble to justice,
and he teaches the humble his way.

R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

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OT Reading: Psalm 32 – “Happy The Man Whose Transgressions Are Forgiven” by Karl Kohlhase. [The song of all prodigal sons and daughters who seek and find release from their guilt and shame through the tender mercies of God in Christ.]

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NT Reading: Matthew 9:2-13 (ESV)

And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

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Zach Williams – “Rescue Story”

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Prayer:

+ 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, 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.

+ Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Blessing

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

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