Wednesday, 06 Oct 2021: Psalm 112; Psalm 112; Jeremiah 3:6-14; Matthew 5:27-36 ~ Marriage: on virtual adultery

Wednesday, 06 Oct 2021:

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

Opening:

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in continual
godliness, that through your protection it may be free from all
adversities, and devoutly serve you in good works, to the glory
of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

“You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you
that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
(Matthew 5:27-28)

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Psalms: Psalm 112 – Marty Goetz
Blessed is the Man

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OT Reading: Jeremiah 3:6-14 (ESV)

Faithless Israel Called to Repentance

3:6 The Lord said to me in the days of King Josiah: “Have you seen what she did, that faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there played the whore? And I thought, ‘After she has done all this she will return to me,’ but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore. Because she took her whoredom lightly, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree. Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the Lord.”

And the Lord said to me, “Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say,

“‘Return, faithless Israel,
declares the Lord.
I will not look on you in anger,
for I am merciful,
declares the Lord;
I will not be angry forever.
Only acknowledge your guilt,
that you rebelled against the Lord your God
and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree,
and that you have not obeyed my voice,
declares the Lord.
Return, O faithless children,
declares the Lord;
for I am your master;
I will take you, one from a city and two from a family,
and I will bring you to Zion.

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Song of Repentance | New Wine Worship

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NT Reading: Matthew 5:27-36 (ESV)

Lust

5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

5:31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

5:33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.

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I Repent – Steve Green

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Prayer:

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us.
May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm.
May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us.
May He bring us 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.

Sunday, 04 October: Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128:1-6; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16 ~ the two are united into one… forever

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Prayer:

Creator God, in Christ You call man and woman to the fullness of glory for which You created them in Your image. Heal our hardened hearts, renew our obedience to Your spoken will, and conform our lives to Your gracious design. Grant 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: “Hail, Holy Light! The World Rejoices”

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Genesis 2:18-24 (NLT)
[In the order of creation, man and woman are meant to be together.]

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.

So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.

“At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’”

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 128:1-6 (NLT)

How joyful are those who fear the Lord — all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!

Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.

That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him. May the Lord continually bless you from Zion.

May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!
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“Shir LaMa-alot Esa Einai” (Psalm 128) by Salamone Rossi

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A Reading from the Letters: Hebrews 2:9-11 (NLT)
[Hebrews was written to show that Jesus fulfilled the needs of Jews and Greeks alike.]

What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 10:2-16 (NLT)
[Jesus instructs his followers about family life, repeating the teaching given in Genesis and telling all to be as trustful as little children.]

Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered them with a question: “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?”

“Well, he permitted it,” they replied. “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away.”

But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
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“Your Heart Today”

Where there is fear, I can allay / Where there is pain, I can heal / Where there are wounds, I can bind / And hunger, I can fill

Lord, grant me courage / Lord, grant me strength / Grant me compassion / That I may be Your heart today

Where there is hate, I can confront / Where there are yokes, I can release / Where there are captives, I can free / And anger, I can appease

When comes the day I dread / To see a broken world / Compel me from my cell grown cold / That Your people I may behold

And when I’ve done, all that I could / Yet there are hearts, I cannot move / Lord give me hope / That I may be Your heart today
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Intercessions:

Creator God: You are the giver of life, the source of all our blessings. Hear us as we ask for Your help and strength.

+ For all who follow Christ – that we may have the trustfulness of little children…. Lord, hear us.

+ For men and women joined together in marriage – that Your grace may continue to work in them, especially in difficult times…. Lord, hear us.

+ For our children and grandchildren – that they may grow wiser and stronger each day, and grow in favor with Your people…. Lord, hear us.

+ For single people, the widowed or separated – that they may be blessed with good friends on their journey through life…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who are gravely ill – that every moment of life may be cherished and that death may be accepted, when it comes…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who face persecution, suffering and death because of their faith – that they may bring honor to Christ in life, and enter into His glory in death…. Lord, hear us.

+ For our family members and friends whose days in this world are over – that they may enter their heavenly homeland with joy…. Lord, hear us.

O Lord our God, You bless those who trust You: hear our prayers offered in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Creation Sings” – Stuart Townend

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Benediction:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

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

6th Ordinary Sunday: Deuteronomy 30:11-20; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37 ~ from the heart

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening prayer:

All-seeing God, you alone judge rightly our inmost thoughts. Teach us to observe your law from the heart even as we keep it outwardly. Purify our desires, calm every anger, and reconcile us to one another. Then will our worship render you perfect praise.

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.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NLT)

“This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

"Love" Sculpture in the snow. (Robert Indiana, artist) — “Love” Sculpture in the snow.
(Robert Indiana, artist)

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

“But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34 (NLT)

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.

You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!

Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 (NLT)

Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God — his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:17-37 (NLT)

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“But I warn you — unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Intercessions:

God of all wisdom, hear my prayer:

+ For all who follow Christ, that they may follow his example of right living…
+ For people who have fallen out with each other, that they may hear the Gospel call to make peace…
+ For those outside the fold, that they may be drawn in by the goodness of Christians…
+ For people facing difficult decisions, that God’s gift of wisdom may be given them…
+ For those suffering as a result of the bad weather, that they may have the help they need…
+ For my own needs and for the needs of those I love…
+ For those who have asked prayer…
+ For those who have died and those who mourn their loss that together they may share in all that God has prepared for those who love him.

Gracious God, you lead your people along the right path, hear my prayers and give us the help we need today, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Spiritual Song: City of God by Dan Schutte

Awake from your slumber, arise from your sleep / A new day is dawning for all those who weep.

The people in darkness have seen a great light. / The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.

Let us build the city of God; / May our tears be turned into dancing, / For the Lord Our light and our love / Has turned the night into day.

We are sons of the morning we are daughters of day / The One who has loved us has brightened our way.

The Lord of all kindness has called us to be / A light for His people: to set their hearts free.

God is light in Him there is no darkness / Let us walk in His light His children one and all

O Comfort my People . Make gentle your words / Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.

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

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