Tag: Anglican Church in North America

The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 26 Jul 2020 – 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12, Matthew 13:44-52, Psalm 119:33-40, Romans 8:28-30 ~ give me wisdom to make right decisions

The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 26 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

God of eternal wisdom, you alone impart the gift of right judgement. Grant us an understanding heart, that we may value wisely the treasure of your kingdom and gladly forgo all lesser gifts to possess that kingdom’s incomparable joy. 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

“Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven
is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom.”

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Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah – Mennonite Hour Men’s Quartet

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A Reading from the Old Testament: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 (CEV)

One night while Solomon was in Gibeon, the Lord God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Solomon, ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”
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Lord God, I’m your servant, and you’ve made me king in my father’s place. But I’m very young and know so little about being a leader. And now I must rule your chosen people, even though there are too many of them to count.

Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don’t, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.

God said:

Solomon, I’m pleased that you asked for this. You could have asked to live a long time or to be rich. Or you could have asked for your enemies to be destroyed. Instead, you asked for wisdom to make right decisions. So I’ll make you wiser than anyone who has ever lived or ever will live.

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Collect for Purity

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.

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 13:44-52 (CEV)

A Hidden Treasure

The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when someone finds a treasure hidden in a field and buries it again. A person like that is happy and goes and sells everything in order to buy that field.

A Valuable Pearl

The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a shop owner is looking for fine pearls. After finding a very valuable one, the owner goes and sells everything in order to buy that pearl.

A Fish Net

The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a net is thrown into a lake and catches all kinds of fish. When the net is full, it is dragged to the shore, and the fishermen sit down to separate the fish. They keep the good ones, but throw the bad ones away. That’s how it will be at the end of time. Angels will come and separate the evil people from the ones who have done right. Then those evil people will be thrown into a flaming furnace, where they will cry and grit their teeth in pain.

New and Old Treasures

Jesus asked his disciples if they understood all these things. They said, “Yes, we do.”

So he told them, “Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom.”

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Psalm 119:33-40 (ESV) – The Corner Room

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.

Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
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A Prayer for Wisdom and Peace: by Scotty Smith

Dear heavenly Father, you number our hairs and determine our days; you hang the stars and feed the sparrows; you open doors no one can shut and shut doors no one can open. Surely, we can trust you when the time comes for making decisions. Father, we will trust you for generous wisdom, straight paths and peaceful hearts, all for your glory.

  • How we praise you for being the decision-making-God. It’s not our decisions, but yours that make all the difference.
  • We will plan, but we trust you to order our steps.
  • We will pray, but ask you to fix our prayers en route to heaven.
  • We will seek counsel, but count on you to overrule faulty or incomplete input from our most trusted friends and mentors.
  • We will search the Scriptures, but not looking for proof texts but for you, Father. All we want and need is you.

Free us from the paralysis of analysis—wanting make the right decision, more than we want to be righteous people; wanting to be known as wise people, more than we want to know you.

  • Free us from the idolatry of assuming there’s only one “perfect” choice in any given situation.
  • Free us from making decisions primary for our comfort and other’s approval, or fear their disapproval.
  • Free us to know that good choices don’t always lead to the easiest outcomes, especially at first.
  • Free us from second and twenty-second guessing our decisions.

Father, we know that in ALL things, your will is our sanctification—our becoming more and more like Jesus. Give us this passion; make it our delight, even as we trust you for the opening and closing of doors that are in front of us. All for your glory – in the name of our reigning King, Jesus we pray. Amen
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Nothing But Goodness – North Central University Worship Live

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Closing – Romans 8:28-30 (CEV)

We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children. God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them.

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

The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19 Jul 2020 – Jeremiah 20:7-13, Matthew 10:16-33, Romans 5:15-19, ~ Don’t be afraid of anyone!

The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Everyone will hate you because of me.
But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved.”

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Shout For Joy (Psalm 100) – North Central University Worship Live

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Collect for Purity

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.
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 20:7-13 (CEV)

Jeremiah Complains to the Lord

You tricked me, Lord, and I was really fooled. You are stronger than I am, and you have defeated me. People never stop sneering
and insulting me. You have let me announce only destruction and death. Your message has brought me nothing but insults and trouble. Sometimes I tell myself not to think about you, Lord, or even mention your name. But your message burns in my heart and bones, and I cannot keep silent.

I heard the crowds whisper, “Everyone is afraid. Now’s our chance to accuse Jeremiah!” All of my so-called friends are just waiting for me to make a mistake. They say, “Maybe Jeremiah can be tricked. Then we can overpower him and get even at last.”

But you, Lord, are a mighty soldier, standing at my side. Those troublemakers will fall down and fail—terribly embarrassed, forever ashamed.

Lord All-Powerful, you test those who do right, and you know every heart and mind. I have told you my complaints, so let me watch you take revenge on my enemies. I sing praises to you, Lord. You rescue the oppressed from the wicked.
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Afraid – Tenth Avenue North

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 9:35-10:15 (CEV)

Warning about Trouble

I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves. Watch out for people who will take you to court and have you beaten in their meeting places. Because of me, you will be dragged before rulers and kings to tell them and the Gentiles about your faith. But when someone arrests you, don’t worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the words to say. But you will not really be the one speaking. The Spirit from your Father will tell you what to say.

Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. Everyone will hate you because of me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved. When people mistreat you in one town, hurry to another one. I promise you that before you have gone to all the towns of Israel, the Son of Man will come.

Disciples are not better than their teacher, and slaves are not better than their master. It is enough for disciples to be like their teacher and for slaves to be like their master. If people call the head of the family Satan, what will they say about the rest of the family?

The One To Fear

Don’t be afraid of anyone! Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you. Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Telling Others about Christ

If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don’t belong to me.
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God of Mercy and Compassion – by Giovanni Pergolosi (France) and I. D. Riverson (Ghana).

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Pastoral Prayer:

Almighty and everliving God: hear our prayers –

+ Grant that all who confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

+ Grant that we may hear and receive your holy Word, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.

+ Grant that our government may impartially administer justice, uphold integrity and truth, restrain wickedness and vice, and protect true religion and virtue.

+ Empower us to fulfill your great commission, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that you have commanded.

+ Comfort and sustain all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, especially those suffering the effects of the pandemic.

Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Giants Fall – Francesca Battistelli

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Closing – Romans 5:16,17 (CEV)

But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life. Adam disobeyed God and caused many others to be sinners. But Jesus obeyed him and will make many people acceptable to God.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

The 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 12 Jul 2020 – Psalm 65:11, Isaiah 55:10-11, Matt 13:1-9, Rom 8:18-23 ~ God’s powerful word

The 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 12 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

” The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and understand the message.
They produce as much as a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was planted.”

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You Crown The Year (Psalm 65:11) – Hillsong

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 55:10-11 (CEV)

Rain and snow fall from the sky.
But they don’t return
without watering the earth
that produces seeds to plant
and grain to eat.
That’s how it is with my words.
They don’t return to me
without doing everything
I send them to do.”
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Isaiah 55 · Canyon Worship · Amanda Riffe

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 13:1-9 (CEV)

A Story about a Farmer

That same day Jesus left the house and went out beside Lake Galilee, where he sat down to teach. Such large crowds gathered around him that he had to sit in a boat, while the people stood on the shore. Then he taught them many things by using stories. He said:

A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. While the farmer was scattering the seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by birds. Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn’t very deep. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots. Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up and choked the plants. But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants produced a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as was scattered. If you have ears, pay attention!
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The Sower’s Song – Andrew Peterson

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Pastoral Prayer:

+ O Lord, our God: Your thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

  • You save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice!
  • You give hope to people everywhere on earth, even those across the sea.
  • You are strong, and your mighty power put the mountains in place.
  • You silence the roaring waves and the noisy shouts of the nations.

+ O Lord,our God: we come to you because you are merciful and will forgive our sins.

  • Break down the strongholds within us, and deliver us from the lies and deceit of the evil one….
  • Sink deep, lasting roots in our fickle hearts, and enable us to withstand times of trouble….
  • Bushwhack our worried, anxious hearts, and free us to trust and love you, and those around us….
  • Refresh and renew our open hearts, and produce in us the good works of faith, hope, and love….

+ O Lord, our God: send forth your powerful Word into every tribe and nation; Usher in a season of repentance and revival across the earth, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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A Reading from the Epistles: Rom 8:18-23 (CEV)

A Wonderful Future for God’s People

I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his children are. Meanwhile, creation is confused, but not because it wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of his children. We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.

The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free.
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His Mercy Is More – Praise and Harmony Beautiful God

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Closing – Romans 8:17 (CEV)

God’s Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised.
We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

The 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 05 Jul 2020 – Romans 8:1-6, Matthew 11:25-30, Psalm 145 ~ come to me and rest

The 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 05 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who can do no good thing apart from you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things.
If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die.
But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace.”

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Come Thou Fount – David Crowder Band

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Collect for Purity

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.
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A Reading from the Epistles: Romans 8:1-6 (CEV)

If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished. The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin. God used Christ’s body to condemn sin. He did this, so that we would do what the Law commands by obeying the Spirit instead of our own desires.

People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace.
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Leaning On You – Crowder

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 11:25-30 (CEV)

At that moment Jesus said:

My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that is what pleased you.

My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.

If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.
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“When We Pray” – Tauren Wells

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Pastoral Prayer:

O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy, Let your fatherly goodness be upon all whom you have made. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Bless the multitude of your poor. Lift up those who are cast down. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all who are discouraged and downcast, and by your heavenly grace preserve from falling those whose poverty tempts them to sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair.

Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Run Devil Run –

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Closing – Romans 8:1-2 (CEV)

“If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished.
The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus
and will set you free from sin and death.”
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

The 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28 Jun 2020 – Rom 6:3-4, 8-11, Matthew 10:37-42 ~ “Take up your cross and follow me.”

The 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

All-powerful God, your incarnate Word commands our obedience and offers us true life. Make our ears attentive to the voice of your Son and our hearts generous in answering his call,that we may take up the cross with trust in his promises. 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.

“You are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation.
God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done.”

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O Word of God Incarnate – Jeff Pardo

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Collect for Purity

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.
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A Reading from the Epistles: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 (CEV)

Don’t you know that all who share in Christ Jesus by being baptized also share in his death? When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father.
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As surely as we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. We know that death no longer has any power over Christ. He died and was raised to life, never again to die. When Christ died, he died for sin once and for all. But now he is alive, and he lives only for God. In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God.
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Christ Be All Around Me – Leeland

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 10:37-42 (CEV)

If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples. And unless you are willing to take up your cross and come with me, you are not fit to be my disciples. If you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it.

Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me also welcomes the one who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet, just because that person is a prophet, will be given the same reward as a prophet. Anyone who welcomes a good person, just because that person is good, will be given the same reward as a good person. And anyone who gives one of my most humble followers a cup of cool water, just because that person is my follower, will surely be rewarded.
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Follow You – Leeland

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Pastoral Prayer: Mennonite Worship Resources (Rev. Abi’s Long and Winding Road blog)

Oh, God of love, power and faithfulness,
We journey with your son,
ever closer to Jerusalem,
to his cross his true destiny.

We hear his words
“Take up your cross and follow me,”
but we aren’t sure if it’s the crosses of this life,
or the actual cross of death.

We hear his words,
“deny your self,”
and wonder which self it is;
the self we put on for others,
or the self centered self
that wants it all for ourselves?

Whichever it is,
it seems like Jesus
sure is asking a lot of us
and we aren’t sure we can do this.

God, we will need your holy spirit
to be able to do this.
God, we will need your grace and mercy
to be able to do this.

We remember that you empowered your disciples,
the early Christians,
and others who decided to follow you,
we believe that you will do likewise for us.

Amen.
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“Take Up Your Cross” – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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Closing – 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

“You are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done.”
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen