Epiphany Season | Friday 02 Feb 2024: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Job 36:1-23; 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 ~ Paul’s obligation to spread the Good News.

Epiphany Season | Friday 02 Feb 2024

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

Opening:

O God, you know that we are set
in the midst of many grave dangers,
and because of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright:
Grant that your strength and protection
may support us in all dangers
and carry us through every temptation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“If I [Paul] spread the Good News,
I have nothing to brag about
because I have an obligation to do this.”
(1 Corinthians 9:16a)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 147 GW (비 준비하시니) / Stonegate Music

__________

OT Reading: Job 36:1-23 (GW)

Elihu Continues: Hear Me Out

36:1 Elihu continued to speak ⌞to Job⌟,

“Be patient with me a little longer, and I will show you
that there is more to be said in God’s defense.
I will get my knowledge from far away
and prove that my Creator is fair.
Certainly, my words are not lies.
The one who knows everything is ⌞speaking⌟ with you.

God’s Justice Is Beyond Human Understanding

“Certainly, God is mighty.
He doesn’t despise anyone.
He is mighty and brave.
He doesn’t allow the wicked person to live.
He grants justice to those who are oppressed.
He doesn’t take his eyes off righteous people.
He seats them on thrones with kings to honor them forever.
However, if righteous people are bound in chains
and tangled in ropes of misery,
he tells them what they’ve done wrong
and that they’ve behaved arrogantly.
He makes them listen to his warning
and orders them to turn away from wrong.

“If righteous people listen and serve ⌞him⌟,
they will live out their days in prosperity
and their years in comfort.
But if they don’t listen,
they will cross the River ⌞of Death⌟
and die like those who have no knowledge.
But those who have godless hearts remain angry.
They don’t even call for help when he chains them up.
They die while they’re young,
or they live on as male prostitutes in the temples of idols.
He rescues suffering people through their suffering,
and he opens their ears through distress.

“Yes, he lured you away from the jaws of trouble
into an open area where you were not restrained,
and your table was covered with rich foods.
But you are given the judgment evil people deserve.
A fair judgment will be upheld.
Be careful that you are not led astray with riches.
Don’t let a large bribe turn you ⌞to evil ways⌟.
Will your riches save you from having to suffer?
Will all your mighty strength help you?
Don’t look forward to the night,
when people disappear from their places.
Be careful! Don’t turn to evil,
because you have chosen evil instead of suffering.

“God does great things by his power.
Is there any teacher like him?
Who can tell him which way he should go?
Who can say to him, ‘You did wrong’?

__________

Heal us Now / Azi Schwartz

__________

NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 (GW)

Paul’s Right to Be Paid for His Work as an Apostle

9:1 Don’t you agree that I’m a free man? Don’t you agree that I’m an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren’t you the result of my work for the Lord? If I’m not an apostle to other people, at least I’m an apostle to you. You are the seal which proves that I am the Lord’s apostle. This is how I defend myself to those who cross-examine me. Don’t we have the right to eat and drink? Don’t we have the right to take our wives along with us like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas do? Or is it only Barnabas and I who don’t have any rights, except to find work to support ourselves?

Does a soldier ever serve in the army at his own expense? Does anyone plant a vineyard and not eat the grapes? Does anyone take care of a flock and not drink milk from the sheep? Am I merely stating some human rule? Don’t Moses’ Teachings say the same thing? Moses’ Teachings say, “Never muzzle an ox when it is threshing grain.” God’s concern isn’t for oxen. Isn’t he speaking entirely for our benefit? This was written for our benefit so that the person who plows or threshes should expect to receive a share of the crop. If we have planted the spiritual seed that has been of benefit to you, is it too much if we receive part of the harvest from your earthly goods? If others have the right to expect this from you, don’t we deserve even more? But we haven’t used our rights. Instead, we would put up with anything in order not to hinder the Good News of Christ in any way.

Don’t you realize that those who work at the temple get their food from the temple? Don’t those who help at the altar get a share of what is on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who spread the Good News should earn their living from the Good News.

I haven’t used any of these rights, and I haven’t written this in order to use them now. I would rather die than have anyone turn my bragging into meaningless words. If I spread the Good News, I have nothing to brag about because I have an obligation to do this. How horrible it will be for me if I don’t spread the Good News!

__________

Ma Navu (How Beautiful) by Barry & Batya Segal

How lovely on the mountain are
The feet of him bringing good news
How lovely on the mountain are
The feet of him bringing good news
Proclaim to Zion Yeshua
Proclaim to Zion Shalom
__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, our heavenly Father: Pour out your Spirit on your faithful people in the Middle East, that your Son’s life-giving Gospel may be preached to every tribe and nation. 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.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Bring home the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically, and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.

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

Epiphany Season | Thursday 01 Feb 2024: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Proverbs 12:10-21; Galatians 5:2-15 ~ Freely serve each other through love.

Epiphany Season | Thursday 01 Feb 2024

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

Opening:

“Don’t turn [your] freedom into an excuse
for your corrupt nature to express itself.
Rather, serve each other through love.”
(Galatians 5:13)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 147 – “How Good It Is to Sing” (Stuart Townend) / Christian Lyrics

__________

OT Reading: Proverbs 12:10-21 (GW)

12:10 A righteous person cares ⌞even⌟ about the life of his animals,
but the compassion of wicked people is ⌞nothing but⌟ cruelty.

+ Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat,
but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.

+ A wicked person delights in setting a trap for ⌞other⌟ evil people,
but the roots of righteous people produce ⌞fruit⌟.
An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk,
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.

+ One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability.
Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.

+ A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one,
but a person who listens to advice is wise.
When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately,
but a sensible person hides the insult.

+ A truthful witness speaks honestly,
but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.

+ Careless words stab like a sword,
but the words of wise people bring healing.
The word of truth lasts forever,
but lies last only a moment.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
but joy belongs to those who advise peace.

+ No ⌞lasting⌟ harm comes to a righteous person,
but wicked people have lots of trouble.

__________

Oseh Shalom (He who makes peace) by Barry & Batya Segal

He who makes peace in the heavens
Grant peace to us
And to all of our people
And let us say Amen
He will make peace, He will make peace
Peace unto us and over all of Israel

__________

NT Reading: Galatians 5:2-15 (GW)

5:2 I, Paul, can guarantee that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Again, I insist that everyone who allows himself to be circumcised must realize that he obligates himself to do everything Moses’ Teachings demand. Those of you who try to earn God’s approval by obeying his laws have been cut off from Christ. You have fallen out of God’s favor. However, in our spiritual nature, faith causes us to wait eagerly for the confidence that comes with God’s approval. As far as our relationship to Christ Jesus is concerned, it doesn’t matter whether we are circumcised or not. But what matters is a faith that expresses itself through love.

You were doing so well. Who stopped you from being influenced by the truth? The arguments of the person who is influencing you do not come from the one who is calling you. A little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough. The Lord gives me confidence that you will not disagree with this. However, the one who is confusing you will suffer God’s judgment regardless of who he is. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the cross wouldn’t be offensive anymore. I wish those troublemakers would castrate themselves.

You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love. All of Moses’ Teachings are summarized in a single statement, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don’t destroy each other.

__________

If I speak words of wisdom – Resound Worship

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples (especially in the Middle East) may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

+ O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.

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

Epiphany Season | Wednesday 31 Jan 2024: Psalm 35:1-10; Jeremiah 29:1-14; Mark 5:1-20 ~ Go and tell what God has done for you.

Epiphany Season | Wednesday 31 Jan 2024

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

Opening:

“Go home to your family,
and tell them how much the Lord
has done for you and how merciful
he has been to you.”
(Mark 5:19)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 35:1-10 GW

35:1 O Lord, attack those who attack me.
Fight against those who fight against me.
Use your shields, ⌞both⌟ small and large.
Arise to help me.
Hold your spear to block the way of those who pursue me.
Say to my soul, “I am your savior.”

Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgraced.
Let those who plan my downfall be turned back in confusion.

Let them be like husks blown by the wind
as the Messenger of the Lord chases them.
Let their path be dark and slippery
as the Messenger of the Lord pursues them.

For no reason they hid their net in a pit.
For no reason they dug the pit ⌞to trap me⌟.

Let destruction surprise them.
Let the net that they hid catch them.
Let them fall into their own pit and be destroyed.

My soul will find joy in the Lord
and be joyful about his salvation.

All my bones will say, “O Lord, who can compare with you?
You rescue the weak person from the one who is too strong for him
and weak and needy people from the one who robs them.”

__________

Mi Sheberach | מי שברך | Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School Choir

He who blessed our holy ancestors
He will bless the soldiers of Israel
God will protect and save you—our soldiers
__________

OT Reading: Jeremiah 29:1-14 (GW)

Jeremiah Writes to the Captives in Babylon

29:1 The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter from Jerusalem to the rest of the leaders among the captives. He also sent it to the priests, the prophets, and all the people that Nebuchadnezzar took away as captives from Jerusalem to Babylon. (This was after King Jehoiakin and his mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and metal workers left Jerusalem.) He sent the letter with Shaphan’s son Elasah and Hilkiah’s son Gemariah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah had sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. The letter said:

This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all those who were taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses, and live in them. Plant gardens, and eat what they produce. Get married, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons, and let your daughters get married so that they can have sons and daughters. Grow in number there; don’t decrease. Work for the good of the city where I’ve taken you as captives, and pray to the Lord for that city. When it prospers, you will also prosper.

This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Don’t let the prophets or the mediums who are among you trick you. Don’t even listen to your own dreams. These people are prophesying lies to you in my name. I didn’t send them, declares the Lord.

This is what the Lord says: When Babylon’s 70 years are over, I will come to you. I will keep my promise to you and bring you back to this place. I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you. When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me, I will let you find me, declares the Lord. I will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I’ve scattered you, declares the Lord. I will bring you back from the place where you are being held captive.

__________

ZION [Official Lyric Video] – Aaron Shust

__________

NT Reading: Mark 5:1-20 (GW)

Jesus Cures a Demon-Possessed Man

5:1 They arrived in the territory of the Gerasenes on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus stepped out of the boat, a man came out of the tombs and met him. The man was controlled by an evil spirit and lived among the tombs. No one could restrain him any longer, not even with a chain. He had often been chained hand and foot. However, he snapped the chains off his hands and broke the chains from his feet. No one could control him. Night and day he was among the tombs and on the mountainsides screaming and cutting himself with stones.

The man saw Jesus at a distance. So he ran ⌞to Jesus⌟, bowed down in front of him, and shouted, “Why are you bothering me now, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me.” He shouted this because Jesus said, “You evil spirit, come out of the man.”

Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

He told Jesus, “My name is Legion [Six Thousand], because there are many of us.” He begged Jesus not to send them out of the territory.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on a mountainside nearby. The demons begged him, “Send us into the pigs! Let us enter them!”

Jesus let them do this. The evil spirits came out of the man and went into the pigs. The herd of about two thousand pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea and drowned.

Those who took care of the pigs ran away. In the city and countryside they reported everything that had happened. So the people came to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. The man was sitting there dressed and in his right mind. The people were frightened. Those who saw this told what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the pigs. Then the people began to beg Jesus to leave their territory.

As Jesus stepped into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him, “Let me stay with you.” But Jesus would not allow it. Instead, he told the man, “Go home to your family, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been to you.”

So the man left. He began to tell how much Jesus had done for him in the Ten Cities. Everyone was amazed.

__________

The State of Faith: Israel | Woman’s Testimony from Jew to Jesus | TBN Israel

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.

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

Epiphany Season | Tuesday 30 Jan 2024: Psalm 35:1-10; Numbers 22:22-28; 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 ~ The challenge of distractions.

Epiphany Season | Tuesday 30 Jan 2024

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

Opening:

“I’m showing you how to live
a noble life of devotion to the Lord
without being distracted by other things.”
(1 Corinthians 7:35b)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 35 – Zabur/Tehillim Sephardi Hebrew Canting/Recitation with English

__________

OT Reading: Numbers 22:22-28 (GW)

22:22 God became angry that he was going. So the Messenger of the Lord stood in the road to stop him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, accompanied by his two servants. When the donkey saw the Messenger of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn, the donkey turned off the road into a field. Balaam hit the donkey to get it back on the road.

Where the road went through the vineyards, it was narrow, with stone walls on both sides. Now the Messenger of the Lord stood there. When the donkey saw the Messenger of the Lord, it moved over and pinned Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam hit the donkey again.

Then the Messenger of the Lord moved ahead and stood in a narrower place where there was no room to turn to the right or the left. When the donkey saw the Messenger of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam. Balaam became so angry he hit the donkey with his stick. Then the Lord made the donkey speak, and it asked Balaam, “What have I done to make you hit me three times?”

__________

Open My Eyes That I May See ~ Joslin Grove Choral Society ~ Easy Worship Resources

__________

NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 (GW)

7:32 So I don’t want you to have any concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, ⌞that is,⌟ about how he can please the Lord. But the married man is concerned about earthly things, ⌞that is,⌟ about how he can please his wife. His attention is divided.

An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the Lord’s things so that she may be holy in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about earthly things, ⌞that is,⌟ about how she can please her husband. I’m saying this for your benefit, not to restrict you. I’m showing you how to live a noble life of devotion to the Lord without being distracted by other things.

No father would want to do the wrong thing when his virgin daughter is old enough to get married. If she wants to get married, he isn’t sinning by letting her get married. However, a father may have come to a decision about his daughter. If his decision is to keep her ⌞at home⌟ because she doesn’t want to get married, that’s fine. So it’s fine for a father to give his daughter in marriage, but the father who doesn’t give his daughter in marriage does even better.

A married woman must remain with her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if the man is a Christian. However, she will be more blessed if she stays as she is. That is my opinion, and I think that I, too, have God’s Spirit.

__________

Consecration Hymn – David K Woodbury

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O Lord Jesus Christ, you became poor for our sake that we might be made rich through your poverty: Guide and sanctify, we pray, those whom you call to follow you in poverty, chastity, and obedience; that by their prayer and service they may enrich your Church, and by their life and worship may glorify your Name; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

+ Our God, in whom we trust: Strengthen us not to regard overmuch who is for us or who is against us, but to see to it that we be with you in everything we do. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who sends us to the nations,
give us the power of his Spirit.

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

Epiphany Season | Monday 29 Jan 2024: Psalm 35:1-10; Numbers 22:1-21; Acts 21:17-26 ~ God’s people are blessed.

Epiphany Season | Monday 29 Jan 2024

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

Opening:

But God said to Balaam, “Don’t go with them!
Don’t curse these people,
because they are blessed.”
(Numbers 22:12)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 35 – Poor Bishop Hooper

lord oh lord oppose those who oppose me
lord oh lord fight those who fight against me
lord put on your armor lord take up your shield
lord prepare for battle lord lift up your spear
against every pursuer oh lord let me hear
say it to my soul lord say it loud and clear
wont you say

i will give you victory

lord bring shame on those who try to kill me
lord turn back the ones who bring me harm
blow them all away like chaff set in the wind
a wind sent by your angel fast pursuing them
would you say

i will give you victory

lord wrong witnesses rise up against me
asking me things i know nothing of
yes they trade me evil for my honest good
i’m empty in my soul god sickened with despair
oh how long will you lord look on and do nothing
save me from these lions and protect my life

won’t you come and rescue me

so all may say
the lord be magnified the one who takes delight
in full abundant life of his servants

__________

OT Reading: Numbers 22:1-21 (GW)

Balaam Is Hired to Curse Israel

22:1 Then the Israelites moved and set up camp across from Jericho, on the plains of Moab east of the Jordan River.

Balak, son of Zippor, saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. The Moabites were very afraid because there were so many Israelites. Besides, the Moabites couldn’t stand these people.

So the Moabites said to the leaders of Midian, “All those people will eventually eat up everything around us the same way an ox eats up the grass in a field.”

At that time Balak, son of Zippor, was king of Moab. He sent messengers to summon Balaam, son of Beor, who was at Pethor, on the Euphrates River, in the land where his people lived. Balak’s message was, “A nation has just come here from Egypt. They’ve spread out all over the countryside and are setting up their camp here in front of me. Please come and curse these people for me, because they are too strong for me. Maybe then I’ll be able to defeat them and force them out of the country. I know that whomever you bless is blessed and whomever you curse is cursed.”

The leaders of Moab and Midian left, taking money with them to pay for Balaam’s services. They came to Balaam and told him what Balak had said.

“Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I’ll report to you what the Lord tells me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

Balaam answered, “Balak, son of King Zippor of Moab, sent them with this message: ‘Some people have just come from Egypt and are spreading out all over the countryside. Now come and curse them for me. Maybe I’ll be able to fight them and force them out.’ ”

But God said to Balaam, “Don’t go with them! Don’t curse these people, because they are blessed.”

When Balaam got up in the morning, he said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your own country, because the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”

So the Moabite princes went back to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

Balak sent a larger group of more highly respected princes. When they came to Balaam, they said to him, “This is what Balak, son of Zippor, says: Don’t let anything keep you from coming to me. I will make sure you are richly rewarded, and I will do whatever you ask. Please, come and curse these people for me.”

But Balaam answered Balak’s servants, “Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I couldn’t disobey the command of the Lord my God no matter whether the request was important or not. Now, why don’t you stay here tonight, as the others did, and I’ll find out what else the Lord may have to tell me.”

That night God came to Balaam and said, “If these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.”

Balaam’s Journey to Moab

22:21 When Balaam got up in the morning, he saddled his donkey and left with the Moabite princes.

__________

The Blessing for the People of Israel / Canada Christian College

__________

NT Reading: Acts 21:17-26 (GW)

21:17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the believers welcomed us warmly.

The next day Paul went with us to visit James. All the spiritual leaders were present. After greeting them, Paul related everything God had done through his work with non-Jewish people.

When the spiritual leaders heard about everything, they praised God. They said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews are now believers, and all of them are deeply committed to Moses’ Teachings. But they have been told that you teach all the Jews living among non-Jewish people to abandon Moses. They claim that you tell them not to circumcise their children or follow Jewish customs. What should we do about this? They will certainly hear that you’re in town. So follow our advice. We have four men who have made a vow to God. Take these men, go through the purification ceremony with them, and pay the expenses to shave their heads. Then everyone will know that what they’ve been told about you isn’t true. Instead, they’ll see that you carefully follow Moses’ Teachings.

⌞To clarify this matter⌟ we have written non-Jewish believers a letter with our decision. We told them that they should not eat food sacrificed to false gods, bloody meat, or the meat of strangled animals. They also should not commit sexual sins.”

The next day, Paul took the men and went through the purification ceremony with them. Then he went into the temple courtyard to announce the time when the purification would be over and the sacrifice would be offered for each of them.

__________

Psalm 51 – English / Hebrew Tehillim 51 – LEV TAHOR | LEVI LIFE MUSIC