As weary as I am of all things Obama, it was gratifying this week to see some evidence thatmore minds are awakening to the reality that this “emperor” has no clothes.
After five years purveying his so-called “Hope,” we should be asking ourselves, “What DO we, in fact, hope for? And what exactly was it that President Promises was dangling in front of us?
View original post 617 more words
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.
As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 98:5-9 (ESV)
Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord.
For the Lord is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.
A Reading from the Old Testament: Malachi 4:1-2 (NLT)
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.
“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12 (NLT)
For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 21:5–19 (NLT)
Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
“Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls.
Intercessions:
Lord God: Your time is near. I come before You with perseverance and hope for the needs of Your people and the needs of the world. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For Church leaders, bishops, priests, and ministers everywhere: that they may lead the church in offering hope and vision to the world in times of confusion and chaos. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For Christians in every tribe and nation, especially those who are persecuted because of the faith: that they may experience Your comfort, provision, and protection, and that Your angel armies might overcome the evil one in their defense. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For leaders of all nations: that they exercise wisdom and sound judgement, seeking an end to war and violence. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For all who are devastated by natural disaster, especially in the Philippines: that they might receive food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and comfort, and that the Church might rise to the challenge. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For peace in the Middle-East, especially in Syria: that violence may end and all people may work toward just societies that offer safety, education and opportunity for all citizens. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For all who are responsible for public safety, especially firefighters, police and medical personnel: that they maintain vigilance and receive renewed energy. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For members of the military and aid agencies dispersed throughout the world: that they may soon return home to their loved ones. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For those who are seriously ill, hospitalized, or homebound, and their caregivers. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For the recently deceased, born and unborn, and for all who mourn their loss. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For my loved ones – family, friends and neighbors. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
God of all time, in these days of uncertainty You are my constant hope. Give me wisdom and an obedient heart as I strive to live out Your Gospel and wait with patience for Your coming in glory. I ask this through Christ my Lord. Amen.
Hymn: “When You Walk Into The Room” – Jesus Culture
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.
As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 (ESV)
Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
A Reading from the Old Testament: Job 19:23-27a (NLT)
“Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock.
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”
A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 (NLT)
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 20:27-38 (NLT)
Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: “Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name. Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. Finally, the woman also died. So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!”
Jesus replied, “Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.
“But now, as to whether the dead will be raised — even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”
Intercessions:
O God, my Rock and my Redeemer, hear my prayers – along with those of all Your people – for the Church, those in need, and all of Your creation:
Into Your hands, gracious God, I commend all for whom I pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.
Hymn: “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Hoy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.
As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14 (NLT)
I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 (NLT)
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Intercessions:
God of mercy and compassion – You welcome all who seek You… hear my prayers on behalf of Your people:
+ For all Church leaders, and all baptized believers: that together we will continually grow closer to You and reflect Your love, mercy and grace…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For all nations: that they will respect the splendor of God’s creation and care for the world’s resources and its people…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For all politicians and Government Officials: that they follow the example of Zacchaeus and be open to accept responsibility for the wrongs they have done and be ready to make amends for them…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For those who have wealth and power: that they will place themselves at the service of those in need…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For retired servants of Christ: that they may continue to enjoy Your grace and mercy on their life’s journey…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For those working for peace: that God will inspire them and that all members of the military and aid agencies may soon return home to their loved ones…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For those who are seriously ill, hospitalized, or homebound… and their caregivers…. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For the recently deceased, and for all who mourn their loss.… Lord, hear my prayer.
God of life, You free me from fear and stir up my heart to hope in You. Help me to live life in a manner worthy of Your calling. I ask this through Christ my Lord. AMEN.
Spiritual Song: “Before the Throne of God Above”
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.
As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23 (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.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 (NLT)
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me — the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 18:9-14 (NLT)
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Intercessions:
God of Justice and Mercy – You hear the cries of the poor and oppressed; hear me as I humbly lay my concerns before Your throne of grace:
O God, I humbly place these needs before you and ask for all things according to Your Kingdom purpose on earth as it is in heaven. To Christ be glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Anthem: “Rise, Ye Children of Salvation”
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 