Tag: be filled with the Holy Spirit

Sunday: 16 August – Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34:2-7; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 ~ all are welcome

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and Prayer:

Whoever eats the flesh of the Lord and drinks His blood will live for ever. We rejoice in Jesus’ promise, believing we will share the eternal destiny of all who have His life in them.
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Wise and gracious God, You spread a table before us and nourish Your people with the word of life and the bread from heaven. In our sharing of these holy gifts, show us our unity in You and give us a taste of the life to come. 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.
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Hymn: All are welcome


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A Reading from the Old Testament: Proverbs 9:1-6 (NLT)
[Wisdom is depicted in female form, inviting the foolish to be fed from her table and thus become wise.]

banquet

Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.

She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-7 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
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Let Us Exalt His Name Together – CFC Doha Qatar


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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT)
[Paul tells Christians to give good example and to bless God for everything.]

beach-clock

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:51-58 (NLT)
[Jesus is the Bread of Life: whoever eats this bread will live for ever.]

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

world-communion-sunday-2

Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
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Intercessions:

Those who revere the Lord lack nothing, so we bring our prayers to God with confidence.

+ For all who gather around the Lord’s Table this weekend – that we may grow in appreciation of the Bread of Life we share…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who feel unworthy to receive Holy Communion – that they may never feel deprived of the support and friendship of God’s people…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people outside the Christian family – that the good lives of believers may bring them to Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who sing the glory of God on earth: congregations, cantors and choirs – that we may one day join in the beautiful music of heaven…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters who have died – that having eaten the Bread of Life, they may live forever…. Lord, hear us.

Lord our God, those who seek You lack no blessing: hear these prayers we offer in faith, and continue to help us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: Go Into the World

Benediction:

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5b-6)

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

Morning Prayer: 24 Apr – Acts 9:1-20; John 6:52-59 ~ I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!

Friday of the Third Week of Easter

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

Opening sentences and prayer:

Light’s glittering morn bedecks the sky, Heav’n thunders forth its victor cry: The glad earth shouts her triumph high, And groaning hell makes wild reply. While He, the King of sovereign might, Treads down death’s strength in death’s despite, And trampling hell by victor’s right, Brings forth His sleeping saints to light.
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Almighty God, we have come to know the grace of our Lord’s resurrection. Grant that through the love of your Spirit we may rise to new life. 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 9:1-20 (NLT)

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them — both men and women — back to Jerusalem in chains.

Conversion of St. Paul Nicolas Bernard Lépicié, 1767
Conversion of St. Paul
Nicolas Bernard Lépicié, 1767

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.

And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord!” he replied.

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”
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Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood, remains in me and I in him, says the Lord. (John 6:56)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:52-59 (NLT)

communion flesh and blood

Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
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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