+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
E100:13.b – The Miracles of Jesus
Walking on Water – Matthew 14:22-36 (NLT)
Jesus Walks on Water
Matthew 14:22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Jesus walks on water Ivan Aivazovsky (1888) Private collection
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
34 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. 36 They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – Hillsong United
Prayer
Lord Jesus: keep my eyes fixed on you, especially during times when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Hear me when I cry out to you. And when I am at my weakest, strengthen me by your grace. Come to me in times of trouble so that I may find rest for my soul. Thank you for claiming me as your child and guiding me by your Spirit. I am yours, and you are mine. Amen.
Closing Sentence
Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. – Lamentations 3:21-23
+ 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!
E100:13.a – The Miracles of Jesus
Feeding of the Five Thousand – Luke 9:1-36 (NLT)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples
Luke 9 One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. 2 Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes. 4 Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town. 5 And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
6 So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.
Herod’s Confusion
7 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. 8 Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the other prophets risen from the dead.
9 “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “so who is this man about whom I hear such stories?” And he kept trying to see him.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
Christ Feeding the Multitudes Coptic icon
10 When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.
12 Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”
13 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” 14 For there were about 5,000 men there.
Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 So the people all sat down. 16 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. 17 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
18 One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
19 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
20 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”
Jesus Predicts His Death
21 Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. 22 “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 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. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”
The Transfiguration
Transfiguration icon Theophanes the Greek, 15th century State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow
28 About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. 31 They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.
32 Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 34 But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.
35 Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” 36 When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
Father in Heaven, ever-living source of all that is good, keep me faithful in serving You.
Help me to drink of Christ’s Truth, and fill my heart with His Love so that I may serve You in faith and love until I reach eternal life. In the Sacrament of the Eucharist You give me the joy of sharing Your Life now. Keep me in Your presence. Let me never be separated from You and help me to do Your Will.
In Jesus’ name, I ask it. Amen.
“Jesus Lover Of My Soul” – Hillsong
Closing Sentence
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. – Jude 24-25
+ 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.
As Christians called to follow Christ in good times as well as bad, we praise our God who sustains us on that journey.
Opening Prayer:
O God, whose Son, our Messiah and Lord, did not turn aside from the path of suffering nor spare his disciples the prospect of rejection, pour out your Spirit upon us, that we may abandon the security of the easy way and follow in Christ’s footsteps toward the cross and true life. Grant 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.
__________
“Lift High The Cross” – BBC Songs of Praise from St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
__________
A Reading from the Old Testament:Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1 (NLT)
[The death of Jesus is foretold: the citizens of Jerusalem are to “look on the one whom they have pierced”. These words are echoed in the prophecy Jesus makes in the Gospel.]
Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died. The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo.
_____
On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.
__________
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9 (NLT)
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.
_____
I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth.
__________
“Psalm 63” – Hebraic Worship | Deanne
__________
A Reading from the Letters: Galatians 3:26-29 (NLT)
[Baptism unites people, it strips away all divisions, it makes everyone equal in Christ.]
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 9:18-24 (NLT)
[Peter’s acknowledgement of Jesus as the Christ brings a prophecy of the death of the Son of Man, and a call to disciples to take up the cross of discipleship themselves.]
One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”
The Deesis Mosaic of Jesus (c. 1261) Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by Ana Maria Vargas.
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”
Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, 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.
__________
Hymn: “Take Up Your Cross” – Ray Boltz
__________
Intercessory Prayer:
Loving Father: you give good gifts to your children, hear our prayers:
+ That Christians who are being persecuted may not give up…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the entire human family may turn from prejudice and injustice…. Lord, hear us.
+ That lonely people may discover your friendship…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the sick and dying may experience your healing presence…. Lord, hear us.
+ That our fathers may be blessed on this Father’ Day…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who mourn may experience your comfort…. Lord, hear us.
+ That we may be reunited in eternal life with all the faithful we have loved…. Lord, hear us.
God of love and kindness, we rejoice in your protection and hold fast to your promise of eternal life. Give us the grace we need to live faithfully for you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
“We Will Not Be Shaken” – Brian Johnson
Benediction:
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
+ 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
Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
Morning Reading: James 5:1-6 (NLT)
On the road in Dubai.
Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
Morning Prayer
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. God have mercy on me, forgive me my sin, and bring me to everlasting life through Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord.
_____
Eternal Father, it is by your gift of life that I can praise you: the wonder of my making is only surpassed by the splendor and joy of my coming to life in Christ.
+ Lord, be with me as I start a new day: move my heart to seek you and my will to serve you.
+ Deepen my awareness of your presence: teach me reverence and love for all that you made.
+ To know you is to love those you created: let my life and my work be of service to all.
Almighty, ever-living God, shed the light of your glory on the peoples who are living in the shadow of death, as you did long ago, when our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sun of Justice, came among us from on high. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
“Sun Of Righteousness” – Newday Live 2012 – Jules Burt
We were made to see and know | The universe was made to show Your glory | You are worthy, oh! | Source of all created things | Absolute reality, without beginning | You are worthy, oh!
Galaxies would rise and sing | Yet you choose to live within my skin | You are worthy, oh! | Angel minds would long to see | Why you chose to bear the cross to rescue me | You are worthy, oh!
Jesus, You’re the radiance of the Father’s glory and love | Image of the Unseen One, You are God
You are the Song that lives inside of me | You are the Well that overflows with rivers of joy | You are worthy, oh! You are worthy, oh! | You are the Hope that springs eternal peace | You are the Sun of righteousness with healing in your wings | You are worthy, oh! You are worthy, oh!
Into our disordered hearts | Shone the brightness of your gospel’s glorious light | You are worthy, oh! | You healed our souls and gave us sight | Restored Your glory to the center of our lives | You are worthy, oh!
We join with heaven, angels all around | We’re echoing their praise, we worship You now | We join with heaven, angels all around | We’re echoing their praise, we worship You now
Blessing
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! …To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! (Revelation 5:12, 13)
+ 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!
E100:12.e – The Teachings of Jesus
Lost and Found – Luke 15:1-32 (NLT)
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!
The Good Shepherd (Le bon pasteur) James Tissot, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum, New York City
3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
Parable of the Lost Son
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
The Prodigal Son Albrecht Dürer, c.1496 Engraving, Royal Collection Trust London
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
The Return of the Prodigal Son (Le retour de l’enfant prodigue) James Tissot, between 1886 and 1894 Brooklyn Museum, New York City
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
God, we pray today for parents who are enduring the onslaught of discouragement over the choices of their children.
+ Give them hope that your promises are never defeated, and that you can make a way through dark places when there seems to be no light.
+ Give them, today, sound wisdom to know specifically how love for their child needs to be expressed. Then give them the same tomorrow, and then the day after.
+ Give them endurance to hope beyond hope. Give them courage, and surprising joy.
We pray also for the children who are wandering from the ways of wisdom. We pray today that they will return.
+ Lead them home, coaxing their desires, compelling their dreams, and frustrating their rebellions.
+ And when they do make even the smallest step homeward we will welcome them and celebrate the victory.
God, you are a perfect father, THE Father. We know you share this desire with us. Bring our sons and daughters home! We hear your promises and we hold on to them as we hold on to you, and at the same time release our children into your care. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
“Hallelujah” – Hillsong
Closing Sentence
I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace. – Isaiah 54:13
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
