+ 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 63:4 (NLT)
I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
Reading: Exodus 17:8-16 (NLT)
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
“Victory O Lord!” John Everett Millais, 1871 [Depicts Moses holding up his arms during the Battle of Rephidim, assisted by Hur (left) and Aaron.]So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”
Reading: 1 Timothy 2:8 (NLT)
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
Prayer
This day is Your gift to me; I take it, Lord, from Your hand and thank You for the wonder of it.
God be with me in this Your day, every day and every way, with me and for me in this Your day; and the love and affection of heaven be toward me.
+ All that I am and all that I do, Lord – I place into Your hands.
+ Everything I work for and hope for, Lord – I place in your hands.
+ The troubles that weary me and the thoughts that disturb me, Lord – I place in Your hands.
+ Each person that I pray for and each person I care for, Lord – I place in Your hands.
Hands, Lord, Your gift to us, we stretch them up to You. Always You Hold them.
Help me to find my happiness in my acceptance of what is Your purpose for me: in friendly eyes, in work well done, in quietness born of trust, and, most of all, in the awareness of Your presence in my spirit.
“If My People with, Hear Our Prayer, O Lord.” – Protestant Reformed Mass Choir
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!
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening sentence
When the right time came, God sent his Son….
__________
“Almost there” – Michael W Smith / Amy Grant
Evening Reading: Luke 2:1-7 NLT
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
“Silent Night” – Celtic Woman
Evening Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 NLT
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Evening Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 NLT
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“O Holy Night” – Josh Groban
__________
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God: You emptied Yourself to assume the condition of a slave. You were tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. You, alone, were born to save us.
+ Coming into our world, Lord Jesus, You open the new age which the prophets foretold. In every age, may the Church come again to new birth.
+ You took on our human weakness. Be the eyes of the blind, the strength of the weak, the friend of the lonely.
+ Lord, You were born among the poor: show them Your love.
+ Your birth brings eternal life within man’s reach; comfort the dying with hope of new life in heaven.
+ Gather the departed to Yourself; and make them radiant in Your glory.
Fill us with confidence, Lord God, when Your Only-Begotten Son comes as our judge. We welcome Him with joy as our redeemer: year by year renew that joy, as we await the fulfillment of our redemption by Jesus Christ our Lord, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
__________
Canticle
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favor – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
“Ave Maria”
Blessing
To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. (John 1:12-13 NLT)
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening sentence
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
__________
Morning Reading: Genesis 6-7 NLT
A World Gone Wrong
Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”
…The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing — all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” But Noah found favor with the Lord.
The Story of Noah
This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!
“Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior….
Noah’s Ark (1846), a painting by the American folk painter Edward Hicks Philadelphia Museum of Art
“Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat — you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal — a male and a female — into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.”
So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.
The Flood Covers the Earth
When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous…. Seven days from now I will make the rains pour down on the earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights, until I have wiped from the earth all the living things I have created.”
So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.
Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered the earth. He went on board the boat to escape the flood — he and his wife and his sons and their wives. With them were all the various kinds of animals…. They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah. After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth….
For forty days the floodwaters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth. As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface. Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth…. All the living things on earth died — birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people. Everything that breathed and lived on dry land died. God wiped out every living thing on the earth — people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. And the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days.
Morning Reading: Romans 5:8-9 NLT
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
__________
Prayer: “Walk with me” song lyrics
Author of the world walk with me | Ruler of the earth walk with me | Calmer of the storm walk with me | Healer of my heart walk with me | How I need You, how I need You | Oh Jesus, walk with me
Light for every step walk with me | Giver of each breath walk with me
In Your presence Lord, there is peace, there is rest | In Your presence Lord, there is life that never ends | In Your presence Lord, there is joy, there is joy | In Your presence Lord, there is life that never ends
__________
“Walk With Me” – Jesus Culture (feat. Kim Walker-Smith)
_________
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
He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening sentence
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
__________
Morning Reading: Genesis 1:27-28 NLT
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Morning Reading: Genesis 2:16-17 NLT
But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden — except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”
Morning Reading: Jeremiah 33:19-22 NLT
Then this message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord says: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that one does not follow the other, only then will my covenant with my servant David be broken. Only then will he no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne. The same is true for my covenant with the Levitical priests who minister before me. And as the stars of the sky cannot be counted and the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who minister before me.”
__________
Prayer:
Gracious God: Your Word is sure and true; You always keep Your promises. Prepare me – heart, mind, and spirit – to renew and refresh my relationship with You during this Advent season.
+ You are the Sovereign Lord – may I trust You in all things, big and small, personal and public, at home and throughout the world. Here’s what is troubling me today….
+ You are the Word made flesh – may I enter into the festivities and joy of Christmas, keeping the priceless gift of Jesus ever before me. Here’s where I need to maintain perspective today….
+ You are the Life-giving Spirit – may I become more like Jesus, a man of His Word. Here’s where I need to follow through and keep my word today….
Merciful God: guide me though the wilderness and protect me through the storm as I await Your coming in glory. Protect me from the wiles of the evil one and bring me home rejoicing into Your eternal presence. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
__________
“Even So Come” – Passion (feat Kristian Stanfill)
_________
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
He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening sentence
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
__________
Morning Reading: Psalm 8 NLT
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers — the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority — the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Morning Reading: Romans 12:14-16 NLT
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
__________
Prayer:
God the Father has adopted us as siblings of His only Son, and through the ages has stayed with us and kept us in His love. Merciful Father: hear us as we pray for the needs of the world.
+ We pray for all who plan and build in our communities: give them respect for the human values of life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
+ We pray for all who kill, destroy and enslave, who terrorize their communities: transform them through a renewal of their hearts and minds, and bring them to repentance and newness of life in Christ.
+ You have created us anew in the resurrection of Your Son: give us the strength to create a new life, and a new world no matter the opposition.
+ Be with us as the cornerstone of all that we build: for we can do nothing well without Your aid.
+ Protect all who face hardship, suffering and even death because of their faith: give them wisdom and sound judgement, and deliver them from evil.
+ Pour out Your Spirit on artists, craftsmen, and musicians: may their work bring variety, joy, and inspiration to our lives.
We praise You, O Lord, with voice and mind and deed; and since life itself is Your gift, may all we have and all we are be Yours. Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
__________
“How Majestic” – Kari Jobe
_________
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 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.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
!["Victory O Lord!" John Everett Millais, 1871 [Depicts Moses holding up his arms during the Battle of Rephidim, assisted by Hur (left) and Aaron.]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/VictoryOLord.JPG)
The Peanut Gallery 