Morning Prayer: 08 May – Acts 15:22-31; John 15:12-17 ~ friends love each other

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. Alleluia.
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Almighty God, loving Father, hear the prayer of Your children. Cleanse our hearts by Your truth and guide our lives by Your holiness; may we do what is right and pleasing to You. Let the light of Your face shine upon us; free us from sin and fill us with Your goodness. Make us radiant with Christ’s glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 15:22-31 (NLT)

Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders — Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. This is the letter they took with them:

“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

“We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.
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I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me. (John 15:15)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:12-17 (NLT)

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May 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.

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

Morning Prayer: 28 Apr – Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30 ~ they follow me

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all who live in it. He himself founded it upon the seas and set it firm over the waters.
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God our Father, Your Son became the Lamb without blemish to take away the sins of the world. May we overcome today all envy and dissension; help us to take care of our brothers in their every need. Place deep in our hearts the spirit of the gospel; may it inspire us to keep your commandments today and always.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 11:19-26 (NLT)

Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)
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My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 10:22-30 (NLT)

It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

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

Morning Reading: Acts 18:23-28 NLT – training a new generation

Reading: Acts 18:23-28 NLT

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.

Got teacher? Got Bible? Got impact! Uganda 2011 - wwcs.org — Got teacher? Got Bible? Got impact!
Uganda 2011 – wwcs.org

Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him.

When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Thank you for raising up preachers, teachers and evangelists in every generation, in every tribe and nation… people who are compelled by your Spirit to reach people for Jesus. Holy Spirit – open their hearts and minds to the Word of truth found in Scripture… immerse them in your Word. Continually correct any false impressions or cultural biases they may have and give them the wisdom and courage to apply your Word with clarity and power to the world i which they live. Lord Jesus – you are Lord of all… reign in the hearts of all your people wherever they may be today. And, call forth your people like a mighty army to advance your Kingdom throughout the world. To God be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Shine” – Matt Redman (Passion 07)

Morning: Reading: Acts 18:18-22 NLT – mission accomplished

Reading: Acts 18:18-22 NLT

Map: Apostle Paul's Second Missionary Journey — Map: Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – I pray for your missionary servants traveling here and there to encourage and strengthen believers. Protect them and guide them by your Spirit. Give them words of wisdom and encouragement for those they meet. Call forth a harvest of souls from the people they meet and the places they visit. May they always leave your people stronger – better equipped – to meet the challenges of the day. And may they see glimpses – small and large – of Kingdom come. To God be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Send the Light” – Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (1890)

There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave, “Send the light! Send the light!” There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save, Send the light! Send the light!

Send the light, the blessed Gospel light; Let it shine from shore to shore! Send the light, the blessed Gospel light; Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today, “Send the light! Send the light!” And a golden off’ring at the cross we lay, Send the light! Send the light!

Let us pray that grace may everywhere abound, “Send the light! Send the light!” And a Christlike spirit everywhere be found, Send the light! Send the light!

Let us not grow weary in the work of love, “Send the light! Send the light!” Let us gather jewels for a crown above, Send the light! Send the light!

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Corban University Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band and Concert Choir performing “Send The Light” by Charles H. Gabriel

Morning Reading: Acts 14: 26-28 NLT – open door

Reading: Acts 14:26-28 NLT

Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed.

Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – May I be found faithful by the grace of God to complete the work you have entrusted to me. And may I be willing to walk through the doors you open for me. Amen.

Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation” – S. J. Stone (1866)

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