Praying the Psalms: Mon, 17 Sep – Psalm 68 ~ The Lord gives the word, and a great army brings the good news.

Praying the Psalms

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

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 68 (NLT)

Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God. But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord — rejoice in his presence!

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

O God, when you led your people out from Egypt, when you marched through the dry wasteland, Interlude the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain before you, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land. There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people.

The Lord gives the word, and a great army brings the good news. Enemy kings and their armies flee, while the women of Israel divide the plunder. Even those who lived among the sheepfolds found treasures — doves with wings of silver and feathers of gold. The Almighty scattered the enemy kings like a blowing snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.

The mountains of Bashan are majestic, with many peaks stretching high into the sky. Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains, at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live, where the Lord himself will live forever?

Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots, the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary. When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us there.

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.

But God will smash the heads of his enemies, crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways. The Lord says, “I will bring my enemies down from Bashan; I will bring them up from the depths of the sea. You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!”

Your procession has come into view, O God— the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary. Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines. Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life. Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way. Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali.

Summon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past. The kings of the earth are bringing tribute to your Temple in Jerusalem. Rebuke these enemy nations — these wild animals lurking in the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute. Scatter the nations that delight in war. Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals; let Ethiopia bring tribute to God.

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the Lord. Interlude Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky. Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in the heavens. God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: We rejoice in your presence; we sing praises to your name –

+ for you have made covenant with your people and written your Law on our hearts…
+ for you have been present with us, guiding us through the wilderness and protecting us through the storm…
+ for you have revealed yourself to us and welcomed us into your presence through your Son, Jesus Christ…
+ for you have shaped our history, personally and as a people; our lives, our fortunes, and our future are in Christ…
+ for you are enthroned in the heavens – Father, Son, and Spirit – as King of kings and Lord of lords…

O Lord our God: We rejoice in your presence; we sing praises to your name. For you are Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — you are the One true God, who dwells in holiness. Blessed be your name. Amen.
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Psalm 68:5 – “A Father to the fatherless” – (It’s gonna be alright) – Heber Vega

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – 16 Sep – Mark 8:27-35 ~ “Who do you say I am?”

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Make us one, O God, in acknowledging your Son, Jesus Christ. As we proclaim him by our words, help us follow him in our works; give us strength to take up the cross and courage to lose our lives for his sake. 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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“Who You Say I Am” – Hillsong Worship

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Gospel Reading: 8:27-35 (NLT)

Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Lord Jesus, we look to You. You are the peace that surpasses all our understanding and we worship You.

+ Pour out your peace on those who suffer devastation from Hurricane Florence…
+ Pour out your peace on those who have evacuated and who now anxiously await the unknown…
+ Pour out your peace on those who make travel plans and guide them home safely…

Lord Jesus, You are Lord of the wind and the sea. We are in agreement: nothing surprises You and nothing overwhelms You.

+ Protect the innocent and be glorified in this recovery…
+ Raise up your people that we may participate in this recovery…
+ Give us the boldness to proclaim you, Jesus Messiah, Lord of all…

We pray this in Your holy and life-giving Name. Amen.
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“Psalm 116” (You Turned My Soul To Rest) – Robbie Seay Band

From my dying | From my shame
You heard my growning | You called my name
From the darkness | From the grave
O, I cried out to you | And you came to save me
O, you saved me

I will dwell in the shadow of your mercy
I will walk in the land of those who live
I’ll raise up the cup of your salvation
You turned my soul to rest
You turned my soul to rest

In your kindness | In your grace
By such mercy | You have saved me
For your glory | For your name
For your kingdom | You came to save me
O, you saved me

I will dwell in the shadow of your mercy
I will walk in the land of those who live
I’ll raise up the cup of your salvation
You turned my soul to rest
You turned my soul to rest

O, I love you Lord | For you alone
Can hear my cry | Can hear my cry
You hear my voice | And only you
Can give me life | You can give me life

I will dwell in you
I will walk with you

I will dwell in the shadow of your mercy
I will walk in the land of those who live
I’ll raise up the cup of your salvation
You turned my soul to rest
You turned my soul to rest
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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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

Praying the Psalms: Sat, 15 Sep – Psalm 67 ~ May God be merciful and bless us.

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 67 (NLT)

May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude

May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world. Interlude

May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Be merciful to us, and bless us. Our salvation comes from you alone, through your Son, Jesus Christ –

+ for your salvation comes with healing power…
+ for your salvation restores us in body, soul and spirit…
+ for your salvation imparts grace and truth…
+ for your salvation shines light in the darkness…
+ for your salvation is made know by our faithful witness…
+ for your salvation is made known to every tribe and nation…

O Lord our God: Be merciful to us, and bless us – our salvation comes from you alone – fill the whole earth with joy and peace through your Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 67” in Hebrew with English translation – Tal Hermon (a family worship)

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Fri, 14 Sep – Psalm 66 ~ Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 66 (NLT)

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power. Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.” Interlude

Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot. There we rejoiced in him. For by his great power he rules forever. He watches every movement of the nations; let no rebel rise in defiance. Interlude

Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling. You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver. You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs. Then you put a leader over us. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance.

Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you— yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trouble. That is why I am sacrificing burnt offerings to you—the best of my rams as a pleasing aroma, and a sacrifice of bulls and male goats. Interlude

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Almighty in power, working your good purpose in heaven and earth throughout history, manifest your mercy and loving-kindness among us now –

+ For you rule over human events even in the midst of our confusion, rebellion, and disobedience…
+ For you rule over the nations with truth and righteousness, ever advancing the kingdom of your Son…
+ For you preserve our lives and discipline us through trials, injustice and oppression…

O Lord our God: Almighty in power, consecrate us in love to your service –

+ That our faithfulness might be renewed every morning…
+ That our gratitude might be reflected in obedience…
+ That our witness might be evident in what we say and do…
+ That our prayer and praise might never cease…

This we ask through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Ruler of all, in unity with the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 66” (You Are Great) – Robbie Seay Band

Come and see what God has done.
See what God has done for every daughter and every son.
Oh come and hear what God has done.
For everyone who fears the Lord will sing of what He’s done.

And all the earth will shout Your praise.
And all the earth will sing Your name.
For You are great! For You are great!

How glorious Your name.
How awesome are Your ways.
For You are great! For You are great!

Oh come and see what God has done.
See what God has done for every daughter and every son.
Oh come and hear what God has done.
For everyone who fears the Lord will sing of what He’s done.

Oh and all the earth will shout Your praise.
And all the earth will sing Your name.
For You are great! For You are great!

Oh how glorious Your name.
How awesome are Your ways.
For You are great! For You are great!

Come and see what God has done.
Oh see what God has done for every daughter and every son,
For everyone. Come…
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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Thu, 13 Sep – Psalm 65 ~ You, O God, are the hope of everyone on earth.

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 65 (NLT)

What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you in Zion. We will fulfill our vows to you, for you answer our prayers. All of us must come to you. Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple.

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength. You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations. Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.

You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so. You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You give and take away – blessed be your name! Accept our worship, in the good times and the bad, through Jesus Christ our Savior…

+ Fill us with quiet confidence and praise during our present trials…
+ Remind us again of your mercy and the freedom we have in redemption…
+ Give us grateful hearts for your loving-kindness and grace…

O Lord our God: You rule the world in your mighty power. Hear our prayers for all those who have lost loved one’s through terror and war. And exercise your mighty power now over the winds and the waves threatening our Eastern shoreline, that we might look back on this year marveling on the wonders your have shown us. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“You Crown The Year” (Psalm 65:11) – Hillsong Live