Tag: 23 Sep

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – 23 Sep – Mark 9:30-37 ~ on becoming the servant of all

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

O God, protector of the poor and defender of the just, in your kingdom the last become first, the gentle are strong, and the lowly exalted. Give us wisdom from above, that we may find in your Son Jesus the pattern of true servanthood and the grace to persevere in following him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Grateful” – Elevation Worship


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Gospel Reading: Mark 9:30-37 (NLT)

Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

God of power and might: in Christ Jesus, you emptied yourself of all your prerogatives and became the servant of all. Receive us into your presence through his saving grace, and hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders – that they may emulate his example as they serve their constituencies…
+ For all who follow Jesus – that we may learn to put the interests of others first…
+ For all who are persecuted – that they may be delivered from evil and find safe haven…
+ For all who are dispossessed – that they may receive the help needed for restoration…
+ For all who are weak and vulnerable – that they may be happily welcomed into your family…
+ For all who are seeking peace in conflict – that they may find a just and honorable way…
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may experience your perfect, eternal, peace…

God of power and might, you uphold our lives and keep us in your care, help us in these our needs, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 23” (I Am Not Alone) – People & Songs


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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“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.”

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

Morning Reading & Prayer: Sat, 23 Sep – Philemon ~ put into action the generosity that comes from your faith

Morning Reading & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Please Read: Philemon (NLT) – click here

Greetings from Paul

Philemon (NLT) – This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.

I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!

Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

Paul’s Final Greetings

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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Prayer: Heavenly Father – Show us  how to “practice what we preach.” Show us how to genuinely love you and your people; not just in theory, but in the practical realities of everyday life.

+ Every good thing we have comes from you – give us a spirit of gratitude and generosity.

+ Your love and comfort has filled us with joy – may our kindness refresh your people.

+ You have welcomed us home even when we were still far away – may we also welcome the lost and found.

+ You have set us free from the power of sin and death – use us to release the captives and set free the oppressed.

Heavenly Father – Make us more like your Son, that we may love and serve you as faithful witnesses to your mercy and grace – through Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Give Us Your Heart” – by The Emerging Sound of People & Songs


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Fri, 23 Sep – Psalm 139:13-18; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 John 4:18-19 ~ made by God

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

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 139:13-18 (NLT)

Psalm 139:13-14
Psalm 139:13-14

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Reading: Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Reading: 1 John 4:18-19 (NLT)

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

Prayer

God of all creation: You pour life into me, giving me speech, sense, desire, giving me thought and action. My fame or repute will be just as You allow: You mark the way before me.

+ Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex – all the delicate, inner parts of my body.
+ Thank You for making me one of a kind – knitting my parts together in my mother’s womb.
+ Thank You for watching over me – laying out a plan for my life even before I was born.
+ Thank You for guiding me throughout my life – using life’s circumstances for my good.
+ Thank You for staying with me – always promising me a future and a hope.
+ Thank You for loving me perfectly – from my beginning to my end – so that I can live fearlessly.

On Your path, O my God, and not my own, be all my journeying. Rule this heart of mine that it be only Yours.

“Psalm 139 reflectors reading”

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!