After Pentecost | Friday 02 Aug 2024: Psalm 51:1-12; Joshua 23:1-16; 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 ~ Examine your practice of Communion.

After Pentecost | Friday 02 Aug 2024

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray,
and to give more than we either desire or deserve:
Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid,
and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask,
except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Individuals must determine
whether what they are doing is proper
when they eat the bread and drink from the cup.”
(1 Corinthians 11:28)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 51:1-12 (tune: Ottawa) *acapella* | St Peter’s Free Church, Dundee

__________

OT Reading: Joshua 23 (GW)

A Reminder to Follow Moses’ Teachings

23:1 A long time afterward, the Lord gave the Israelites peace with all their enemies around them. Joshua was old, near the end of his life. So he called all the leaders, chiefs, judges, and officers of Israel together. He said to them, “I am old, near the end of my life. You have seen for yourselves everything the Lord your God did to all those nations. The Lord your God fought for you! I have given you the territory of the nations that still remain as an inheritance for your tribes. This includes the territory of all the nations I have already destroyed from the Jordan River westward to the Mediterranean Sea. The Lord your God will expel them right in front of your eyes and force them out of your way. You will take their land as the Lord your God told you. Now you must be very strong to keep and to do everything written in the Book of Moses’ Teachings. Don’t turn away from them. Don’t get mixed up with the nations left in your territory. Don’t ever mention the names of their gods or swear an oath to them. Don’t ever serve their gods or bow down to them. But you must be loyal to the Lord your God, as you have been until now. The Lord has forced important and powerful nations out of your way. Not one person has ever been able to stand up to you. One of you used to chase a thousand. That was because the Lord your God was fighting for you, as he had promised you. Be very careful to love the Lord your God.

“But if you turn away and go along with the other nations within your ⌞borders⌟, if you intermarry with them or associate with them, then you should know that the Lord your God will never again force these people out of your way. Instead, they will be a snare and a trap for you, a whip laid to your sides, and thorns in your eyes until none of you are left in this good land that the Lord your God has given you.

“Pay attention, because I will soon die like everyone else. You know with all your heart and soul that not one single promise which the Lord your God has given you has ever failed to come true. Every single word has come true.

“Every good word the Lord your God has promised you has come true for you. In the same way the Lord will bring about every evil curse until he has destroyed you from this good land that he has given you. When you ignore the conditions placed on you by the Lord your God and follow other gods, serve them and bow down to them, the Lord will be angry with you. Then you will quickly disappear from the good land he has given you.”

__________

All Your Promises Are True – Shannon Wexelberg / Naomi Kelvin

__________

NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 (GW)

11:27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks from the Lord’s cup in an improper way will be held responsible for the Lord’s body and blood. With this in mind, individuals must determine whether what they are doing is proper when they eat the bread and drink from the cup. Anyone who eats and drinks is eating and drinking a judgment against himself when he doesn’t recognize the Lord’s body.

This is the reason why many of you are weak and sick and quite a number ⌞of you⌟ have died. If we were judging ourselves correctly, we would not be judged. But when the Lord judges us, he disciplines us so that we won’t be condemned along with the rest of the world.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, wait for each other. Whoever is hungry should eat at home so that you don’t have a gathering that brings judgment on you.

I will give directions concerning the other matters when I come.

__________

O Lord, I am not worthy (Catholic Gregorian Chant) / Richard Wellner

1. O Lord, I am not worthy
That Thou should’st come to me,
But speak the words of comfort,
My spirit healed shall be.

2. Oh, come, all you who labor
In sorrow and in pain,
Come, eat This Bread from heaven;
Thy peace and strength regain.

3. O Jesus, we adore Thee,
Our Victim and our Priest,
Whose precious Blood and Body
Become our sacred Feast.

4. O Sacrament most holy,
O Sacrament divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving
Be ev’ry moment Thine.

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ 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.

+ Dear Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to possess you within my soul. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, together with all your faithful people gathered around every altar of your Church, and I embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

- Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
- Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
- Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
- Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
- Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
- Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
- Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
- Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
- Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
- Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
- We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+ Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Thursday 01 Aug 2024: Psalm 51:1-12; Exodus 32:19-26a; 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 ~ Factions produce clarity.

After Pentecost | Thursday 01 Aug 2024

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

Opening:

“Factions have to exist
in order to make it clear who
the genuine believers among you are.”
(1 Corinthians 11:19)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 51 (Have Mercy On Me, O God) – Graham Kendrick – Lyric Video

__________

OT Reading: Exodus 32:19-26a (GW)

32:19 When he came near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. In a burst of anger Moses threw down the tablets and smashed them at the foot of the mountain. Then he took the calf they had made, burned it, ground it into powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it.

Moses asked Aaron, “What did these people do to you that you encouraged them to commit such a serious sin?”

“Don’t be angry, sir,” Aaron answered. “You know that these people are evil. They said to me, ‘We don’t know what’s happened to this Moses who brought us out of Egypt. Make gods for us. They will lead us.’ So I told them to take off any gold they were wearing. They gave it to me. I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”

Aaron had let the people get out of control, and they became an object of ridicule to their enemies. When Moses saw this, he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “If you’re on the Lord’s side, come over here to me!”

__________

Who is on The Lord’s Side? | Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, NJ

__________

NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 (GW)

11:17 I have no praise for you as I instruct you in the following matter: When you gather, it results in more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you gather as a church you split up into opposing groups. I believe some of what I hear. Factions have to exist in order to make it clear who the genuine believers among you. When you gather in the same place, you can’t possibly be eating the Lord’s Supper. Each of you eats his own supper ⌞without waiting for each other⌟. So one person goes hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes in which to eat and drink? Do you despise God’s church and embarrass people who don’t have anything to eat? What can I say to you? Should I praise you? I won’t praise you for this.

__________

Christ is made the sure foundation | North Stoneham and Bassett parish

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

William Laud
+ Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

- Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
- Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
- Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
- Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
- Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
- Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
- Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
- Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
- Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
- Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
- We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your Church, that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Wednesday 31 Jul 2024: Psalm 111; Isaiah 25:6-10a; Mark 6:35-44 ~ God’s provision is more than enough.

After Pentecost | Wednesday 31 Jul 2024

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

Opening:

“All of them ate as much as they wanted.
When they picked up the leftover pieces,
they filled twelve baskets with bread and fish.”
(Mark 6:42-43)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 111 – “The Lord will remember His covenant forever.” | Dennis Murray

__________

OT Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a (GW)

Death Will Be Swallowed Up

25:6 On this mountain the Lord of Armies will prepare for all people
a feast with the best foods,
a banquet with aged wines,
with the best foods and the finest wines.
On this mountain he will remove
the veil of grief covering all people
and the mask covering all nations.
He will swallow up death forever.
The Almighty Lord will wipe away tears from every face,
and he will remove the disgrace of his people from the whole earth.
The Lord has spoken.
On that day ⌞his people⌟ will say,
“This is our God; we have waited for him, and now he will save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him.
Let us rejoice and be glad because he will save us.”

The Lord’s power will be on this mountain.

__________

This Is Our God | Phil Wickham

__________

NT Reading: Mark 6:35-44 (GW)

6:35 When it was late, his disciples came to him. They said, “No one lives around here, and it’s already late. Send the people to the closest farms and villages to buy themselves something to eat.”

Jesus replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “Should we go and spend about a year’s wages on bread to feed them?”

He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”

When they found out, they told him, “Five loaves of bread and two fish.”

Then he ordered all of them to sit down in groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

After he took the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He broke the loaves apart and kept giving them to the disciples to give to the people. He also gave pieces of the two fish to everyone. All of them ate as much as they wanted. When they picked up the leftover pieces, they filled twelve baskets with bread and fish. There were 5,000 men who had eaten the bread.

__________

“Provider” | Urban Rescue (Official Lyric Video)

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side. We thank you for setting us at tasks that demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us. We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone. Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he conquered death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

- Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
- Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
- Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
- Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
- Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
- Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
- Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
- Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
- Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
- Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
- We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+ Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, for ever and ever. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Tuesday 30 Jul 2024: Psalm 111; Exodus 24:1-11; Romans 15:22-33 ~ God’s help is for everyone.

After Pentecost | Tuesday 30 Jul 2024

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

Opening:

Paul: “Pray that God’s people in Jerusalem
will accept the help I bring.”
(Romans 15:31b)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 111 – Poor Bishop Hooper

great are the works of the lord
studied by all who delight in them

glorious and majestic
are the deeds of the lord his righteousness endures
he has caused his wonders
to be remembered he keeps his word

great are the works of the lord
studied by all who delight in them

he provides redemption
ordained his covenant
for ever it will stand
to fear the lord is to begin in wisdom

great are the works of the lord
studied by all who delight in them

__________

OT Reading: Exodus 24:1-11 (GW)

The Promise Sealed with Blood

24:1 The Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s leaders come up the mountain to me and worship at a distance. Moses may come near the Lord, but the others may not. The people must not come along with Moses.”

Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and legal decisions. Then all the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has told us to do.” So Moses wrote down all the Lord’s words.

Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain and ⌞set up⌟ 12 sacred stones for the 12 tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they sacrificed bulls as burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it into bowls, and he threw the other half against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Lord’s Promise and read it while the people listened. They said, “We will obey and do everything the Lord has said.”

Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said, “Here is the blood which seals the promise that the Lord has made to you based on everything you have just heard.”

Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s leaders. They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made out of sapphire as clear and blue as the sky itself. God didn’t harm these leaders of the Israelites. So they saw God, and then they ate and drank.

__________

Hallelujah, What a Savior | Hymns of Grace

__________

NT Reading: Romans 15:22-33 (GW)

15:22 This is what has so often kept me from visiting you. But now I have no new opportunities for work in this region. For many years I have wanted to visit you. Now I am on my way to Spain, so I hope to see you when I come your way. After I have enjoyed your company for a while, I hope that you will support my trip to Spain.

Right now I’m going to Jerusalem to bring help to the Christians there. Because the believers in Macedonia and Greece owe a debt to the Christians in Jerusalem, they have decided to take up a collection for the poor among the Christians in Jerusalem. These Macedonians and Greeks have shared the spiritual wealth of the Christians in Jerusalem. So they are obligated to use their earthly wealth to help them.

When the collection is completed and I have officially turned the money over to the Christians in Jerusalem, I will visit you on my way to Spain. I know that when I come to you I will bring the full blessing of Christ.

Brothers and sisters, I encourage you through our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the Spirit creates, to join me in my struggle. Pray to God for me that I will be rescued from those people in Judea who refuse to believe. Pray that God’s people in Jerusalem will accept the help I bring. Also pray that by the will of God I may come to you with joy and be refreshed when I am with you.

May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

__________

Benediction (May the Peace of God) | Stuart Townend / Mission Worship

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly pray for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal, that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate, [and especially for those in the Middle East]; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

- Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
- Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
- Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
- Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
- Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
- Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
- Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
- Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
- Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
- Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
- We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Monday 29 Jul 2024: Psalm 111; Genesis 18:1-15; Philippians 4:10-20 ~ Christ’s strength enables contentment.

After Pentecost | Monday 29 Jul 2024

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

Opening:

“I’ve learned to be content
in whatever situation I’m in.”
(Philippians 4:11b)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 111 – Elise Massa

__________

OT Reading: Genesis 18:1-15 (GW)

The Three Visitors

18:1 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he said.

Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

__________

Nothing Is Impossible – GCA Magnify Worship

__________

NT Reading: Philippians 4:10-20 (GW)

Thanks for Their Gifts

4:10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

__________

Contentment – Jenny Klement

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

Julian of Norwich
+ O God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor, and if I do ask anything less, I shall always be in want. Only in you I have all. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

- Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
- Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
- Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
- Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
- Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
- Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
- Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
- Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
- Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
- Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
- We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: