Saturday Morning, 05 Oct 2019 – Matthew 18:7-20 ~ What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin.

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading: Matthew 18:7-20 (NLT)

Matthew 18:7-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

“What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

Parable of the Lost Sheep

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.

Correcting Another Believer

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
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Morning Reflection:

“What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin.”

Every believer runs into temptation at one time or another – It’s inevitable, as Jesus noted in today’s reading. That’s why Jesus taught his followers to pray -“Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:14) However, Jesus’ concern here is not so much the reality of temptation, but its source, i.e. the people in the world that the evil one uses to tempt others, especially when their efforts are directed against the little ones – those who are weakest and most vulnerable among us.

What sorrow awaits them, they will be thrown into the fires of hell.

Questions for consideration:

  • Think about the society in which you live. How has its values and mores changed over your lifetime? Please explain.
  • How have attitudes and values changed toward children in particular? Please explain.
  • Can you think of examples of evil people who are targeting children for their evil purposes? Please explain.
  • Can you think of examples of evil people who are targeting new believers for their evil purposes? Please explain.
  • How do you think you should respond to evil people who tempt others, especially when there’s nothing you can personally do to change it? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For the Care of Children –

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom so to train them, that they may love all that is true, and pure, and lovely, and of good report, following the example of their Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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“Lead Us Not Into Temptation” – Reba Rambo, Dony McGuire

Lead us not into temptation
Keep us from the snare of the wicked one
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from evil for your name’s sake

Satan’s like a roaring lion
Seeking whom he may devour
Lord let your spirit be a hedge about us
Protect us with your supernatural power

Lead us not into temptation
Keep us from the snare of the wicked one
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from evil for your name’s sake

We fight not with flesh and blood
But with spiritual wickedness
The great red dragon and his army’s making war
Clothe us with armor, we’ll come forth victorious

Lead us not into temptation
Keep us from the snare of the wicked one
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from evil for your name’s sake…
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Closing:

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

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

Wednesday Morning, 02 Oct 019 – Matthew 17:22-18:6 ~ The Greatest in the Kingdom

 

Wednesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 17:22-18:6 (NLT)

Jesus Again Predicts His Death

After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

Payment of the Temple Tax

On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?” “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

The Greatest in the Kingdom

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

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Morning Reflection:

The Greatest in the Kingdom

“So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child

is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 18:4 –

 

Did you notice the dramatic shift of mood in today’s reading – from grief over Jesus’ predicted death, to visions of grandeur in the future Kingdom of Heaven. The disciples still had a lot to learn, and Jesus brought a young child forward as an example for them to follow.

The repentance that Jesus spoke of was a change in attitude – from prideful jockeying for position and prestige, to guileless humility and dependency.

Dependent faith is the mark of greatness in God’s Kingdom.

Questions for consideration:

  • Have you ever wondered how you measure up compared to other believers? Please explain.
  • When you think of the place that pride has in your life, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • Where do you need to live by dependent faith right now? What’s hindering you? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Trustfulness in Times of Worry and Anxiety

Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Trust In You ” – Lauren Daigle


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Closing:

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

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

Tuesday Morning, 01 Oct 2019 – Matthew 17:1-21 ~ shock and awe

Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 17:1-21 (NLT)

The Transfiguration

Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.

Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.

As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”

Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.

Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
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Morning Reflection:

shock and awe

“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.
– Matthew 17:14-15 –

When people see the glory of God revealed and realize that they are in His presence, they feel terror.  The purpose of the transfiguration was primarily confirmation – confirmation of the reality of a future kingdom.

+ The presence of Old Testament saints on earth with Christ in a glorified state verified the kingdom promises in the Old Testament.

+ The reality of this kingdom is also evident from the connection of the transfiguration with the promise of Matthew 16:27-28. The Son of Man was going to come one day to judge the world and establish His kingdom (Matthew 16:27).

+ As an earnest of the coming of the kingdom three disciples were permitted to see the Son of Man in His kingdom (Matthew 16:28). This is exactly the manner in which Peter uses the transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16-21).”

Questions for consideration:

  • Have you ever been in the presence of God, and/or heard his voice? How did you respond? Please explain.
  • When you consider that the Transfiguration is a glimpse into the coming Kingdom, how does that shape your understanding of Jesus’ return on the day of judgement? Please explain.
  • How do you reconcile the Father’s affirmation: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy,” with Jesus prediction of his coming suffering and death? Please explain.
  • Where do you need to exercise faith in your life – for God to do the seemingly impossible? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: Prayer – For the Coming of God’s Kingdom

Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
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“I Can Only Imagine” – MercyMe

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Closing:

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

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

Monday Morning: 30 Sep 2019 – Matthew 16:13-28 ~ a matter of perspective

Monday Morning

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

Opening –  A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Morning Reading – Matthew 16:13-28 (NLT)

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus Predicts His Death

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
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Morning Reflection:

a matter of perspective
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
– Matthew 16:16 –

The answer to Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?” is a matter of perspective.

+ From a human perspective, Jesus is a teacher, a miracle worker, or even a prophet.
+ From a faith perspective. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

However, Peter’s profession of faith and near immediate relapse into a human profession of alarm demonstrates how difficult it is to maintain God’s revealed perspective in the practical concerns of everyday life.

From a human perspective it is counter intuitive to voluntarily take up a cross… or give up one’s life in order to save it… or follow a leader to our death. But from God’s perspective, it makes perfect sense. This change of perspective requires a total transformation, or renewal, of how we think, feel, and behave. And that requires total  immersion in the revealed will of God (the Bible) and openness to the power of God’s Spirit to bring about in us the changes required to live by faith.

Questions for consideration:

  • What does the confession that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” mean to you. Please explain.
  • Do you ever catch yourself vacillating between a faith and human perspective? Please explain.
  • What have you done to write God’s Word on your heart? Can you think of times when the Holy Spirit has reminded you of God’s perspective in a particular situation? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Inner Renewal through the Word

Gracious God and most merciful Father, you have granted us the rich and precious jewel of your holy Word: Assist us with your Spirit, that the same Word may be written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to your own image, to build us up and edify us into the perfect dwelling place of your Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues; grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
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“The Solid Rock (My Hope is Built)” – The Mennonite Hour Singers

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Closing:

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

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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The Rock Church In Helsinki – John Bern

Situated In the Töölö neighborhood of Helsinki, Finland,The Temppeliaukio Church, commonly known as the Rock Church, is excavated directly on to the solid rock. The structure is barely visible from the street level with only the copper dome poking out of the rock. Much of its lies underground, bathed in natural light that filters through the skylight surrounding the center copper dome. A thick rocky wall surrounds the entire structure. The rough, virtually unworked rock surfaces on the interior has given the church an excellent acoustic quality making it a popular venue for concerts.

Designed by architects and brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969, the Temppeliaukio church is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, visited by half a million people annually.
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16th Sunday after Pentecost, 29 Sep 2019: Luke 16:19-31 ~ Use your money to do good.

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

O God of justice, hear our cry and save us. Make us heed your word to the prophets; rouse us to the demand of the gospel and impel us to carry it out. 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. Amen.

Psalm 146:1-6 – Free Church of Scotland
Hamilton Scottish Metrical Psalter 1650

Praise God. The Lord praise, O my soul.
I’ll praise God while I live;
While I have being to my God
in songs I’ll praises give.

Trust not in princes, nor man’s son,
in whom there is no stay:
His breath departs, to’s earth he turns;
that day his thoughts decay.

O happy is that man and blest,
whom Jacob’s God doth aid;
Whose hope upon the Lord doth rest,
and on his God is stayed:

Who made the earth and heavens high,
who made the swelling deep,
And all that is within the same;
who truth doth ever keep:
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Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)

Luke 16:19-31 New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’

“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’

“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’

“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’

“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

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“Poor Man Lazarus” – The Georgia Spiritual Ensemble ·

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Intercession:

Merciful and gracious God: You welcome our prayers and attend especially to the cries of the poor. Hear us now as we pray –

+ For world leaders and those in authority, that they may govern with wisdom and compassion as those who are accountable to You….

+ For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith. that they may be delivered from injustice and be restored to their families and communities…..

+ For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness,or any other adversity, that Your people may gladly provide help. healing and hope in Your name….

+ For believers who are rich in this world, that we trust in You and use our money to do good….

+ For all believers that we be generous to those in need and always ready to share what we have….

God of grace and mercy, You are just to both rich and poor hear our prayers, we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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(We Will Feast  in the house of Zion) – Sandra McCracken –

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

We will not be burned by the fire
He is the LORD our God
We are not consumed, by the flame
Upheld, protected, gathered up

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

In the dark of night, before the dawn
My soul, be not afraid
For the promised morning, oh how long?
Oh God of Jacob, be my strength

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed
You are the Faithful one
And from the garden to the grave
Bind us together, bring shalom

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

Closing: – 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen